Hamilton’s ballet scene is almost as impressive as its waterfalls. It’s home to leading schools such as Hamilton City Ballet as well as the HCA and Hamilton School of Dance which both feature top-class ballet departments. Now, ‘We call it Ballet’ in Hamilton is adding something extra special to the city’s rich ballet legacy. Wearing glow-in-the-dark costumes, six ballerinas will twirl onto the stage to put a luminous spin on Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty. It’s a must-see dance show that reimagines a timeless classic right in front of your very eyes.
On selected dates over the coming months, McIntyre Performing Arts Centre will be hosting this magnificent ballet spectacle. As Hamilton’s second-largest theatre, the state-of-the-art centre hosts a wide range of large-scale events throughout the year. Tickets are on sale now but spaces are limited, so make sure you get yours today.
What is ‘We call it Ballet’?
‘We call it Ballet’ represents an artistic evolution that honours ballet’s rich heritage while embracing technological innovation. This production preserves the fundamental aspects of classical ballet—the pointe work, the partnering, the expressive upper body movements—while incorporating luminous technology directly into the performance through illuminated costumes.
Ballet, its storytelling and the show
The art of ballet has always been about communication through movement, using the body as an instrument to express emotions and narratives that transcend language. “We call it Ballet” continues this tradition by featuring selections from “The Sleeping Beauty,” a quintessential classical ballet that tells the story of good triumphing over evil. The ballet follows Princess Aurora, who falls victim to the evil fairy Carabosse’s spindle curse, is protected by the Lilac Fairy who modifies the curse from death to sleep, and eventually finds salvation through Prince Désiré’s kiss after a hundred years.
The production’s use of light-enhanced costumes creates a visual counterpart to the emotional journey of the story. This technological element serves as an additional storytelling tool, making the ballet’s emotional landscape more accessible to audiences of all backgrounds. With a carefully calibrated running time of 60 minutes, the performance delivers a complete artistic experience without the length of a traditional ballet, making it ideal for both newcomers and experienced ballet enthusiasts.
‘We call it Ballet’ in Hamilton is a 60-minute spectacle that brings the timeless tale of a sleeping princess to life through stunning choreography and illuminated costumes. The show starts at 6:30pm and seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis in each zone. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the event start time and late entry is not permitted.