WA’s next generation reveal excitement at performing in work by Australian ballet legend Kevin Jackson
A new generation of WA child ballet stars has been forged from the ashes of a COVID-19 catastrophe.
Last week, 83 young dancers – all handpicked by Australian ballet legend Kevin Jackson – showcased his sublime choreography across two nights in “Emergence”, at the State Theatre.
“I felt very privileged working with Mr Jackson,” says Morgan Whitnell, 11, a cast member from Scarborough.
“It was pretty daunting at the start when I saw all the people in the audience but once the lights dimmed I absolutely loved it.”
Jackson formed the Perth Youth Ballet in April after his world-class tours were cancelled, returning to his hometown of Perth to mentor local kids.
As the lead danseur of the Australian Ballet for the past 10 years, Jackson dusted himself off from a devastating premature retirement to plot a children’s ballet company with renowned Perth studio owner Leanna Del Basso.
Her ideas appealed to Jackson’s yearning to be a role model for kids – especially under-represented boy dancers.
Awestruck young hopefuls have travelled every Sunday from as far as Geraldton, Bunbury and Wheatbelt towns for the privilege of rehearsals with Jackson for 14 weeks, at the Vogue Performers’ studio in Osborne Park.
For these ballet kids, being taught by Jackson is like learning musical theatre from Hugh Jackman – a life-defining and reality-defying opportunity.
The full-bodied passion of Emergence proved the kids have used their lucky break to work hard with Jackson and dance a whirlwind of tender joy.
Leading ballerina Ella Ravat, 16, from Butler, inspired the loudest spontaneous applause on the final night as she began a dizzying series of spins on her tippy toe. After 16 consecutive on-the-spot fouettés turns, with phenomenal core strength and stability, she seamlessly switched to 16 more turns of the moving circular pique style, coming to a sudden and precise frozen poise, face beaming.
Ella explained it was Jackson’s genuine care and emotional sensitivity that helped bring out her best on the night.
“He noticed I was putting pressures on myself, he said ‘you just need to enjoy it’,” she said.
It became an artistic collaboration where he didn’t need to use words for her to connect with storytelling through dance. “He didn’t tell us ‘this is what you have to do’ but ‘this is what the steps are and interpret that your way.”
Jackson showed what Australia’s best can do during his five-minute solo, a masterclass in bodily isolations – his bare torso a synchronised symphony of muscle. In trousers and barefoot, his body was rippling with storytelling emotion; his leg flexes as fast as a cobra’s strike.
The boys’ ballet choreography was mesmerising with its masculine intensity and dramatic anticipation, such as a contemporary solo by Thomas Cole, 13, of Doubleview and partnering by Rory Taylforth, 15 of Baldivis.
Rory, who’s reserved, said it’s been really special to be coached by Jackson who has boosted his confidence and self-belief.
“I’d only seen him dance on YouTube before,” Rory said. “It’s been good to meet Kevin…really fun. He’s got me to open up and look out. He is quite inspiring.”
As the final curtain closed on Emergence, Del Basso admits she cried with pride. “The kids did really well, “ she said. “It all comes back to all the training from their schools…as well as what Kevin brings as his choreography was quite outstanding and very effective.”
As the State hungers for freedom to travel, the Perth Youth Ballet kids are hoping Jackson might linger here just a little longer, even when the world is at his feet once more.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails