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2015 ANNUAL REPORT
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
2015 was an exceptionally busy year for Ballet Ireland with a wide variety of activities and performances. The highlights were of course the creation of 'Lost' by Ludovic Ondiviela and 'Coppelia' by Morgann Runacre Temple. Other notable highlights, included our performances in Limerick with the ICO and of course our Summer Workshops with the educational team. It was a difficult year financially for the company. Artistic risk taking is always going to have major financial implications and indeed 2015 saw the company increase its deficit quite significantly. The chief reason for this was the failure of Coppelia to do well at the box office in the Gaiety Theatre. Elsewhere around the country the production was a resounding success both artistically and financially. However, the Gaiety's poor sales have had an impact. Competition is the major factor in Dublin and something we will have to work hard on. So 2016 is a time for celebration and reflection. To celebrate the successes and reflect on how we can minimise risk in the future. We look forward to planning for an even more vibrant and creative year ahead for 2017, which will support further the growth and success of the company.
Anne Maher Director
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Productions: Tutus & Beyond …
SUMMARY
Tutus & Beyond paid tribute to the purity of classical
ballet, whilst also looking forward to contemporary
ballet beyond the Tutu. The programme was comprised
of: Pas de Quatre, by Jules Perrot; Vivaldi Suite (excerpt)
by Ray Barra; Sing, Sing, Sing, a Bob Fosse inspired piece,
created for Ballet Ireland by Rain Francis. The most
important piece in the programme was ‘Lost’, a powerful
new work created for Ballet Ireland by Royal Ballet
Dancer/Choreographer Ludovic Ondiviela, one of
Europe’s foremost emerging choreographers. Music by
Ezio Bosso. Lighting by Paul Keogan with costumes by
Richard Bermange. The work was received with standing
ovations all over the country and is another major step
forwards for Ballet Ireland.
TOUR DATES
Project Arts Centre, Dublin 9-11 April
Pavilion, Dun Laoghaire 14 April
glór, Ennis 16 April
Town Hall Theatre, Galway 17 April
Roscommon Arts Centre, Roscommon 18 April
Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo 19 April
VISUAL, Carlow 21 April
The Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny 22 April
Civic Theatre, Tallaght 24, & 25 April
Firkin Crane, Cork 26 April
Solstice Arts Centre, Navan 28 April
Draíocht, Blanchardstown 29 April
Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey 1 May
AUDIENCE NUMBERS
The spring tour was seen by 1,865 audience members.
REVIEWS
… a fascinating production that brings an exciting freshness to the study of ballet... The dancers display
athleticism, poise and flexibility throughout, with marvelous moments intricate pointe work.
SUNDAY BUSINESS POST
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Production:
Strauss Gala with the Irish Chamber Orchestra
SUMMARY
Building on the success of our Carmen collaboration in 2014, Ballet Ireland was invited to perform
once again with the Irish Chamber Orchestra in May 2015 presenting two performances at the Milk
Market in Limerick. Two couples danced five numbers during the ICO’s evening of Strauss music.
Choreography was created for the evening by Stephen Brennan.
The two performances were complete sellouts. The Milk Market as a venue, has proven itself to be a
huge success with audiences. Having both dancers and performers on this stage setting, creates an
intimacy and immediateness of experiencing live dance and music - drawing in and integrating rather
than separating the elements of live performance that are so often kept at a polite level of
engagement with each other. The unusual outdoor setting attracted a broader audience demographic
for both art forms.
PERFORMANCES
Thursday 28 and Friday 29 May 2015
AUDIENCE NUMBERS
The production was seen by 1,200 audience
members.
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Production:
Merry Widow
SUMMARY
Ballet Ireland’s Stephen Brennan choreographed for the students of INYB for Lyric Opera’s
performances of The Merry Widow at the National Concert Hall.
PERFORMANCES
16 & 17 (matinee and evening) May 2015
AUDIENCE NUMBERS
The production was
seen by 1,125
audience members.
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Production:
Photo shoot and Private Performance for Joseph Walsh
SUMMARY
Having come to see Tutu’s on Tour in Cork, Furniture Designer Joseph Walsh requested one of our
dancers to model in a photo shoot to document a bed commissioned for the Duke of Devonshire. The
company was then asked to perform an extract from ‘Lost’ at a private event in June in Fota House for
Mr Walsh to celebrate being honoured by UCC.
PERFORMANCE
27 May 2015.
AUDIENCE NUMBERS
The performance was seen by 60
audience members.
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Production: Coppelia
SUMMARY
In autumn 2015 Ballet Ireland mounted a new production of
Coppélia. Choreography Morgann Runacre-Temple with an
amazing creative team comprising of Libretto by Stella Feehily.
Sound design and arrangement by Tom Lane & Rob Maloney.
Set Design Lorna Ritchie. Costume Design Louise Verity. Lighting
Design by Kevin Smith.
TOUR DATES
The Helix, Dublin 29 Oct
The Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny 30 Oct
Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey 4 Nov
Burnavon Arts Centre, Cookstown 5 Nov
Garage Theatre, Monaghan 6 Nov
Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen 7 Nov
Riverside Theatre, Coleraine 11 Nov
VISUAL, Carlow: 12 Nov
Roscommon Arts Centre, Roscommon 14 Nov
Gaiety Theatre, Dublin 17 - 21 Nov
Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise 24 Nov
An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny 27 Nov
Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo 25 Nov
Wexford Opera House, Wexford 29 Nov
AUDIENCE NUMBERS
The spring tour was seen by 14,685 people.
Civic Theatre, Tallaght 3 - 5 Dec
glór, Ennis 10 Dec
Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick 11 Dec
Siamsa Tíre Theatre, Tralee 12 Dec
Solstice Arts Centre, Navan 15 Dec
Backstage Theatre, Longford 16 Dec
Draíocht Arts Centre, Blanchardstown 18 Dec
Source Arts Centre, Thurles 19 Dec
Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray 20 Dec
REVIEWS
…in “Coppélia” opposites most certainly do attract, complimenting each other wonderfully to
create a thoroughly enjoyable and utterly refreshing production . IRISH EXAMINER
a truly magical performance from Ireland’s national ballet company. SUNDAY BUSINESS POST
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Education Programme: Primary Schools
SUMMARY
We continue to develop and promote our
schools programme throughout 2015. Our
current agenda has evolved in close
collaboration with schools in the Dublin 15
area. Our series of workshops, in which
children join us in class and rehearsal, has
proved an extremely successful route through
which to expose young people to the
experience of dance. In addition to the classes
in their schools, children had workshops in
DanceHouse, before meeting the company and
observing rehearsals.
SCHOOLS
Our Education Officer works with students in St. Patrick’s JNS, Corduff, Scoil Mhuire JNS Blakestown
and St. Philip’s JNS.
PARTICIPATION NUMBERS
4,916 students took part in the programme.
TESTIMONIALS
‘…the programme did more than just
integrate with our curriculum. It promoted
positive behaviour among our pupils and has
contributed to higher levels of self-esteem
particularly among those pupils with Special
Educational Need. The school community has
been enriched having had the opportunity to work with the members of their team and having talked to
the dancers I know that they felt that they also benefited immensely from the experience.’
Sean Sheehan, Principal St Ciarán’s National School, Clonsilla, Dublin 1
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Education Programme: Summer School
SUMMARY
Our summer school programme continued throughout July and August 2015. We continue to
concentrate on attracting a larger uptake of places from a younger age group, those aged between 6
and 9 years particularly; in recent years the programme has proved increasingly popular with older
students, many repeating year on year.
PARTICIAPTING THEATRES
Glór, Ennis; The Civic Theatre, Tallaght; An Grianán, Letterkenny; The Burnavon, Cookstown and the
Moat Theatre Naas
ATTENDANCE NUMBERS
3,107 young pupil attended
TESTIMONIALS
‘As a parent I was amazed that much could be accomplished in
only few days. The final performance looked like something
that was rehearsed for weeks.’
‘My son has been dancing for a couple of years. We attend all
of Ballet Ireland’s productions and he is delighted to be
dancing on stage with dancers he has seen on stage.’
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Education Programme: Workshops
SUMMARY
We respond to various requests throughout the year
to deliver workshops of all kinds around the country
to private dance schools and colleges. This forms part
of our strategy to grow our relationships with
teachers and students throughout the country and
continues our commitment to nurturing young
talent.
PARTICIAPTING THEATRES
Workshops were conducted at Xquisite Dance Academy, Tallaght; Clare Connolly Dance,
Blanchardstown; VISUAL, Carlow, Burnavon, Cookstown; An Grianán, Letterkenny; Etoile School of
Dance, Portrush; Peelo School of Dance, Celbridge; Dance Ireland Limerick; Zona Dance, Letterkenny
and The Ark as part of the Association for Creativity and Arts in Education (ACAE)
ATTENDANCE NUMBERS
283 students took part in workshops.
TESTIMONIAL
It has been such a delight to work with Ballet Ireland over the last few years. Each time Ballet Ireland
comes to our town we have been delighted to partake in repertoire classes and summer schools. Our
students have been challenged and inspired by their interaction with the company and the dancers.
Each year students come to me with eyes wide asking ‘can we do that?’, I’ve found as their instructor
that the students work harder and find more in themselves to give to their dancing after we’ve spent
time with the company, whether that is in class or as an audience member. From the youngest student
to the most senior dancers, they always leave the experience with higher aspirations and as stronger
dancers, I am so glad of the ongoing professional relationship that we’ve been able to develop with
Ballet Ireland.
Jessica Peoples, RAD, RTS
Director/Principle ZoNa Dance Co.
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Board of Directors and Management
The Ballet Ireland’s Board of Directors and Executives are committed to maintaining good
governance. Ballet Ireland is currently working to be compliant with The Governance Code as a
Type C organisation and website compliant to Standard A on the Governance Transparency
Scale.
As an organisation with charitable status under the Charities Act 2009, Ballet Ireland (BI) aims
to comply with the Statement of Guiding Principle for Fundraising drawn up to meet the
requirements of the Act.
PATRON
President Michael D.Higgins
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sheamus Smith (Chairman)
Kilian O’Callaghan (Company Secretary)
Louise Carpendale
Gerardine Connolly
Heather Kennedy
Eilis Quinlan
Roger Spence
STAFF
Director:
Anne Maher
General Manager:
Jeanette Keane
Education Officer:
Stephen Brennan
Press:
Kate Bowe PR
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Partners and Funders
Support from our funding bodies, media sponsors and patrons allows us to bring productions
of the highest professional quality to audiences throughout Ireland.
MAIN FUNDER
MEDIA PARTNERS
DONORS
Louise Verity
Anonymous Donor
DIAMOND FRIENDS €500
Lady Annie Arnott
Lindsay and Siobhan Ashe-Browne
RUBY FRIENDS €150
Debbie Allen, Debbie Allen School of Dance
Sean Braiden
Olive Braiden
Deirdre Brennan, The Peelo School of Dance
Carsten Mikkelsen
Joseph Walsh, Joseph Walsh Studios
SAPPHIRE FRIENDS €75
Ingrid Nachstern
Cynthia Ó Dúnlaing
Sadhbh Ó Dúnlaing, Bray Dance Academy
Ballet Ireland| Agher | Summerhill |Co Meath |A83 WK70
Tel: +353 465 955 7585 Fax: +353 46 955 7585 E: info@balletireland.ie Registered Trademark 253463 | Charity No. CHY13310 | Company Number: 254744
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