Tutus & Town Halls

In March and April 2001 slippers met gumboots when The Royal New Zealand Ballet went on a five-week long heartland tour. The ballerinas performed in community theatres and halls in places like Twizel, Putaruru, Taihape, and Alexandra. This Gibson Group TV One documentary chronicles the challenges – injuries, fatigue, motel life, provincial performance diets (junk food, baking), dodgy stages and wiring, romance on the road – and receptive locals. The programme includes work from local choreographers to famous ballets, with music from classical to Head Like a Hole.

[The show] should be x-rated. The first [dance] was exuberant, the second exhilarating, and that last one was exhausting.

– A punter from Westport

Key Cast & Crew

Gary Scott

Director, Producer

Jon Trimmer

Subject

Allan Smith

Producer

Adam Sondej

Online Editor

Dave Gibson

Executive Producer

Irene Gardiner

Network Executive