The Storyteller

The Storyteller
World premiere date
Premiere location place
Melbourne, Australia
Commissioner
Dancers

Nigel Burley

with Justine Summers, Nicole Rhodes, Kirsty Martin, Damien Welch, Matthew Trent

Total number of dancers
6
Runtime
00:14:36

In the summer of 1997, The Australian Ballet sent six dancers to New York City. They joined Tharp in the studio to learn and rehearse a new work she created for the company.

Set to a composition by Ki-young Kim, The Storyteller is a dramatic ballet with elements of primitive mysticism. The music combines Western forms and a piano with traditional Korean percussion, woodwinds and vocals. The dancers enter in a slow procession. One man – the oracle – emerges from the group. Five other dancers complete the cast, functioning either as a Greek chorus or the players in the oracle’s tale. 

  • Members of The Australian Ballet in performance.

    <p>© Twyla Tharp</p>
  • Tharp rehearses with a dancer from The Australian Ballet in New York City. 

    <p>© Jesse Huot</p>
Videos
Video URL
Video Description

Dancers of The Australian Ballet perform the opening section.

Full music program

Round Dance
Composed by Ki-Young Kim

The Storyteller | University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music
University of Cincinnati, Patricia Corbett Theater
Cincinnati, OH
The Storyteller | Nashville Ballet
Tennessee Performing Arts Center
Nashville, TN
Storyteller (premiere) | The Australian Ballet
State Theatre
Melbourne, Australia