Jennifer Shennan
Review: RNZB’s Dancing with Mozart
The Royal New Zealand Ballet opened its nationwide tour of Dancing with Mozart last night in Wellington. The programme included works from George Balanchine, Jiří Kylián and the world premiere of Kiwi… Audio
Upbeat for Friday 1 June
The world premiere of Corey Baker’s The Last Dance with the RNZB, NZO’s The Elixir of Love opens in Auckland, City Choir Dunedin members jet to London to perform a New Zealand oratorio and we round…
Review: Swan Lake/Loch Na hEala
Irish choreography Michael Keegan-Dolan takes the title Swan Lake from the classic Tchaikovsky ballet but does his contemporary interpretation follow the original folk tale in other ways? Jennifer… Audio
Upbeat for Thursday 15 March
Auckland Writers Festival announces its programme for the May Festival; Jennifer Shennan reviews the Irish Swan Lake, but not as you know it and we bring you another concerto that you have to hear. We… Video
Review – RNZB’s The Piano
The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s take on Jane Campion’s iconic film The Piano opened in Wellington on Friday. Jennifer Shennan asks whether the stage adaptation into a full length ballet works is a… Audio
Upbeat for Tuesday 27 Feb
Did The Royal New Zealand Ballet bring Jane Campion’s iconic film The Piano to life as a dance work? Jennifer Shennan reviews the new production that opened at New Zealand Festival. William…
PM expresses 'concern' over ballet reports
The Prime Minister and Arts Minister Jacinda Ardern says she's concerned about reports that the publicly funded national dance company, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, will not include any of this… Audio
Review: Black Grace – As Night Falls
Jennifer Shennan reviews Neil Ieremia’s As Night Falls by Black Grace. The dance company is on a seven date tour across the country following a very successful Auckland season. The artistic director… Audio
RNZB: Three by Ekman choreographer fronts up
A technology malfunction brought effervescent choreographer Alexander Ekman on stage unexpectedly early on opening night of the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Three by Ekman. Reviewer Jennifer Shennan was… Audio
Is RNZB’s season opener en pointe?
The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2017 season began last week with its first production of the work of Ronald Petit. The double bill Carmen and L'Arlésienne has been recreated for the New Zealand company… Audio
Keeping up the Tempo
Jennifer Shennan gives an overview of the interesting, the insightful and the invigorating at the Tempo Dance Festival. The festival includes more than 700 artists from all walks of life and 50… Audio
Classical repertoire returns
Jennifer Shennan reviews the return of the Royal New Zealand Ballet's Giselle. It's touring the country. Is it en pointe with purists and is it better the second time around? Audio
Shining light on dance
Jennifer Shennan reviews The New Zealand Dance Company's three piece work Lumina, which all focus on light. It's currently touring the country, following on from a successful international season in… Audio
Jennifer Shennan
Jennifer Shennan followed the yellow brick road to the St James Theatre in Wellington last night for the world premier of the Royal New Zealand Ballet's Wizard of Oz. The ballet, about the well known… Audio
Jennifer Shennan
Jennifer Shennan reviews The Kiss Inside at New Zealand Festival. This is the final major work by choreographer Douglas Wright and was first produced at Auckland Arts Festival 2015. Audio
Jennifer Shennan: RNZB Review
Jennifer reviews the Royal New Zealand Ballet's "Speed of Light" season featuring works by Adonis Foniadakis, William Forsythe and Alexander Ekman. Audio
Jennifer Shennan, Jonathon Hendry and Dominic Groom: 2016
Three of our regular Upbeat reviewers look at some of the performing-arts highlights coming up in 2016. Audio
Jennifer Shennan: RNZB Review
Jennifer Shennan reviews the world premiere of Liam Scarlett's A Midsummer Night's Dream by the Royal New Zealand Ballet. The young British choreographer has an impressive reputation for creating… Audio
Jennifer Shennan: Footnote NZ Review
Jennifer reviews the season opening performance of Footnote NZ's NOW 2015 Season. Audio