The Australian Ballet's artistic director, David Hallberg is not averse to taking risks. Since he joined the company in early 2021, he has led and encouraged a culture of disruptive thinking, creativity and a commitment to breaking the mould – while simultaneously respecting the foundations and artistry of the craft. And with The Australian Ballet's latest production, they might just make history.
Oscar©, a groundbreaking full-length production that promises to be its most captivating work to date, drawing on the eventful life and unforgettable writings of the great Irish humourist Oscar Wilde. Choreographed by the visionary Christopher Wheeldon, this world-premiere delves deep into the life and mind of literary icon Oscar Wilde. More than just a ballet, Oscar is a dazzling fusion of Wilde’s personal tragedies and triumphs with the rich characters and stories he created – think The Nightingale and the Rose meets The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Set against the backdrop of 1880s London, where Wilde's wit and charm ruled high society, Oscar© explores the opulence, decadence, and ultimately, the downfall of a genius who lived too boldly for his time. Through Wheeldon’s choreography, Wilde's life becomes an intricate dance – balancing humour with heartbreak, and beauty with betrayal. Below, we caught up with Hallberg who shared five reasons why the work is the company's most innovative yet.
This isn't the first time Chris Wheeldon has worked with The Australian Ballet
Chris Wheeldon’s work has always resonated with me because of his ability to marry classical technique with modern storytelling. His works are not just visually alluring, but they also have a deep emotional undercurrent that speaks to both the dancers and the audience. Oscar© will mark Chris’s third, full-length collaboration with The Australian Ballet which follows Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland© and An American in Paris.
I was familiar with Wilde's story – his wit, literary genius, and personal journey as a queer man in a time when it was profoundly misunderstood and judged. The idea of bringing Wilde’s complex narrative to the stage through Chris’s choreographic lens was something I knew would be both choreographically and emotionally compelling.
The Australian Ballet has been working on Oscar© for two years
Chris began discussions with us about Oscar© in 2022, and it has been an incredibly rewarding journey since then. It a beautiful moment to have Chris create this work specifically for the company, and to collaborate with him and his team on such a groundbreaking project.
Developing a full-length ballet is always a complex process, involving several layers of collaboration— from conceptual discussions to musical compositions and, finally, to the choreography. The process has required patience, trust, and a shared vision, but working with Chris and seeing his creative process unfold in the studio with the dancers has been rewarding for me as Artistic Director. The world premiere has been a long time coming, but I think it has allowed the production to mature into something truly unique, unlike anything that has been created in the ballet world.
Oscar© is the first full-length ballet commissioned by David Hallberg
Commissioning a full-length ballet as Artistic Director involves a unique set of responsibilities and opportunities compared to overseeing revivals or shorter works. This process has been more hands-on, from the initial concept to collaborating closely with Chris, our dancers, and our creative team. It’s also required a significant amount of respect in the creative process – allowing space for Chris to fully express his vision while ensuring it aligns with the company’s artistic values and mission. Both have married beautifully. The result is a production that feels deeply personal, not just to Chris and I as gay men, but to the entire company.
The costume and set design form an integral part of the story
The creative process for Oscar© has been unlike any other. Working with Chris, Joby Talbot, and Jean-Marc Puissant has been an incredible coming together of artistic minds. Each of them has brought a different factor to the table – Chris with his storytelling and choreography, Joby with his evocative musical compositions, and Jean-Marc with his original set and costume design. Together, we aimed to create a world that honours Wilde's life and legacy while also pushing the boundaries of ballet as an art form.
It's an important celebration of genius and resilience
More broadly, I am incredibly proud to present Oscar© to our audiences – not only as a celebration of Oscar Wilde’s genius and resilience but also as a powerful platform to engage in conversations that are highly relevant to today’s society. Through this ballet, we aim to reflect on themes of sexual identity, freedom, and acceptance, and we hope to champion inclusivity and courageously shift the narrative within the dance world.
For performance dates and to purchase tickets, head to The Australian Ballet's website now.
