SPARTACUS FOR THE MODERN ARENA

LIKE many fans of The Australian Ballet (TAB), I imagine, when I think of the ballet Spartacus, I think of the famous 1990 poster image of Steven Heathcote in the title role, all leather straps and outstretched limbs. That production, by László Seregi, certainly served the company well. Originally choreographed in 1968 for the Hungarian State Ballet, Seregi’s Spartacus was first performed by TAB in 1978 and had its last outing more than 20 years later, in 2002.

Now TAB brings a brand new to the stage, by Australian director and choreographer Lucas Jervies. Making its premiere in Melbourne, as this issue hits the shelves, followed by a November season in Sydney, the new production began its life as a result of a conversation that took place between TAB Artistic Director David McAllister and Jervies in 2015. For Jervies, however, the idea of making a new has been percolating for much longer. A former dancer with TAB, Jervies performed in the 2002 production, although he laughs at my use of the word “dance” in relation to his role. “Dance is a very big word,” he remarks. “I was a soldier, so... I marched in back in 2002. “