Ballet Preljocaj’s ‘Swan Lake’ flying to Brisbane

Brisbane will be the exclusive Australian home for Ballet Preljocaj’s radical ‘Swan Lake’ in 2025, as QPAC’s International Series returns in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

Running from 31 May to 7 June, this daring new take on the classic ballet promises a fresh, contemporary twist, blending eco-warriors, corporate greed, and a dystopian future.

Ballet Preljocaj, the brainchild of acclaimed French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj, is renowned for smashing ballet conventions. Last seen in Brisbane in 2016 with their electrifying ‘Snow White’, the company is back to warp our expectations of ‘Swan Lake’. This time, they’ve transformed the romantic fairytale into a battle between environmental activists and industrialist villains.

Set in a world of high-rise penthouses and silent midnight lakes, Ballet Preljocaj’s version pits Siegfried, the son of a corporate tycoon, against Rothbart, an embodiment of environmental destruction. Odette and her swans? They’re eco-warriors in this bold reimagining.

The ballet pulls from Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov’s classic choreography, but injects Ballet Preljocaj’s unique style. With a score that mashes up Tchaikovsky’s symphonic works and house music from studio 79D, performed live by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, this ‘Swan Lake’ promises to be like nothing you’ve seen before. Throw in jaw-dropping visuals, video design by Boris Labbé, and edgy costumes by Igor Chapurin, and you’ve got an unforgettable experience.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas says this production is “‘Swan Lake’ for modern times—no pointe shoes, no clichés, just pure spectacle.”

Ballet Preljocaj’s Founder, Angelin Preljocaj is thrilled to be back in Queensland, recalling the incredible response to ‘Snow White’.

“We fondly remember the enthusiasm Brisbane had for ‘Snow White’, so we know we will be welcomed warmly by audiences and I hope they will enjoy this contemporary version of ‘Swan Lake’. We cannot wait to perform in Queensland, especially as we have the chance to perform live with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Johannes Fritzsch.”

Audiences across Australia are urged to flock to Brisbane for this eight-performance exclusive.

Ballet Preljocaj’s Swan Lake runs in QPAC’s Lyric Theatre from 31 May to 7 June and is an exclusive Australian season as part of the QPAC International Series.

Tickets are on sale to the general public on 25 September from 9 am via qpac.com.au. 

For more information, visit QPAC’s website.

Photography by JC Carbonne