A living dream of loveliness, Jewels unfurls its regal beauty in a splendiferous program of three shimmering works of classical abstraction. 

Long overdue for its premiere season from The Australian Ballet, Jewels sees prodigious choreographer George Balanchine at his ingenious best. Created for the New York City Ballet, the 1967 premiere of Jewels broke ground as a full-length classical ballet with no narrative. Presented in three unique acts, Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds, the work immerses the audience in a fantasia of beauty in which they are free to imagine whatever settings, themes, and intentions they wish. 

Having being performed across the globe by the world’s top companies, the local premiere of Jewels has been keenly anticipated and The Australian Ballet delivers a sterling performance to live up to and, indeed, exceed expectations. The recent increase in precision displayed by the company finds its ideal showcase here, and the performers appear to enjoy dancing the work as much as the audience enjoys watching. 

Jewels is presented in strict accordance with its original production, with costume design by the legendary Barbara Karinska, set design by Peter Harvey, and lighting design by Ronald Bates (reproduced by Perry Silvey). The combined splendour of the design fills the vast State Theatre stage with sumptuous colour. Each of the three acts is greeted with applause and gasps of wonder at the rising of the curtain.  Visually dazzling, each act is designed around its titular jewel. Sparkling particles float overhead while dancers sport gem-encrusted costumes that continue to actively sparkle even when the dancers are stationary.

Staged for this production by Sandra Jennings, Balanchine’s choreography is a marvel to behold, wonderfully theatrical despite the absence of formal storytelling. Each act has its own sense of style, with the only through-lines being the spectacular use of symmetry and the sheer pleasure of dance for its own sake. 

Making seemingly easy work of the range of musical styles, conductor Daniel Capps leads Orchestra Victoria in a performance brimming with a vibrant beauty of its own. 

Set to the emotionally charged music of Gabriel Fauré, Emeralds conjures a glamorous air of heady romance. Dancing a set of slow, sultry pas de deux, Principal Artists Sharni Spencer and Callum Linnane imbue their partnership with palpable chemistry. 

The playful pas de trois sees Larissa Kiyoto-Ward and Katherine Sonnets dance with coquettish spirit, partnered nobly by Drew Hedditch.

As the second principal couple, Imogen Chapman and Maxim Zenin neatly contrast the amorous aura of Spencer and Linnane as they skilfully bring out the proudly showy choreography of their pas de deux. 

Running a mere 19 minutes, Rubies is a scintillating shot of adrenaline, featuring electric dance and striking design. Against a background of black velvet, the floating red gems take on the look of sparks of lava erupting from a volcano. Petite costumes have a vaguely Roman centurion feel and have their own beautiful range of movement. 

Rubies uses Igor Stravinsky’s “Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra,” with solo pianist Duncan Salton providing a dramatic jazz-infused accompaniment.

Principal Artists at the top of their game, Ako Kondo and Brett Chynoweth have the most fun of the evening as they flit about in perfect synchronicity of movement and style. Working with absolute trust and well established shorthand, the pair shoots dynamic sparks off each other as they briskly burn through crisp, tart formations all the while keeping a twinkle of delight in their eyes.

Isabelle Dashwood impresses mightily as the featured soloist, a compelling figure in a stage full of her peers. Willowy and elegant, Dashwood dances with serene confidence and adopts some astonishing positions along the way. 

The most purely classical of the three, Diamonds is set to the music of ballet’s most treasured composer, Piotr Ilyich Tschaikovsky. Playing out like the third act of a romantic storybook ballet, the lavish work features a stunning corps of 32 dancers supporting a central couple who dance an extended grand pas de deux. 

Dressed in gleaming white, the corps creates a multitude of gorgeous formations, their tightly  disciplined work making the intricate patterns all the more beautifully realised. Climactic moments of unison work are nothing short off stunning. 

The personification of old world glamour, Principal Artists Benedicte Bemet and Joseph Caley delight as the commanding principal couple of Diamonds. With a gentle air of chemistry, the pair enhances their work with an underlying aura of romantic affection. 

The picture of poise and maturity, Bemet channels the exquisite polish and grace of a true prima ballerina,  While Caley is initially called upon mostly as a support, he seizes the opportunity to dazzle with his stunning solo work.

A ballet to be treasured, Jewels is a must-see for lovers of the unabashed beauty of pure classical dance.

Jewels plays at State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne until 8 July 2023. For tickets, click here.

The performance of Jewels on 6 July 2023 will be available as a livestream. For tickets and information, click here.  

The Melbourne casting for Jewels can be read online. 

Photos: Rainee Lantry