This winter, Queensland Ballet brings a much-loved classic back to the stage in a new production of Peter and the Wolf, created especially for children and families. Running from 27 June to 5 July at the Talbot Theatre in Brisbane, the work continues the company’s My First Ballet series, an initiative designed to introduce young audiences to the art of ballet in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
Sergei Prokofiev’s 1936 score, written to help children learn about the orchestra, provides the foundation for the production. Each character is represented by a different instrument — the oboe as the duck, the clarinet as the cat, and Peter himself by the string section — brought to life here by musicians from the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, performing live on stage.
Choreographer Greg Horsman has reinterpreted the story with a clear educational intent. “Our young audiences will be able to connect the sound of each instrument to the characters they see on stage,” he explains. “It’s a joyful, educational experience that inspires a lifelong love of both music and dance.”
Artistic Director Ivan Gil-Ortega says the new version pays tribute to the company’s history while looking forward. “Greg Horsman’s playful choreography offers a fresh and engaging take on this beloved story,” he says. “It honours the original 1960s version choreographed by our founder, Charles Lisner OBE, while delighting today’s audiences with colour, charm and creativity.”
The production also features narration by Hugh Parker, design by Josh McIntosh and Noelene Hill, and lighting by Ben Hughes. A series of pre- and post-show experiences round out the offering, including movement workshops for children and a Q&A with the artists following the final performance.
Performances take place in the family-friendly Talbot Theatre at Queensland Ballet’s Thomas Dixon Centre, with child-specific menus available at onsite dining venues.