Photo Diary: How The Australian Ballet prepares for a show at the Sydney Opera House

What it takes to bring Johan Inger’s contemporary interpretation of Carmen to life.

Watching professional dancers move gracefully across the stage on performance night, it’s easy to believe a national ballet production comes together with ease. In reality, The Australian Ballet requires hundreds of hours of rehearsal and prep – not to mention a team of dedicated artists – to bring a performance to life.

Most recently, The Australian Ballet Artists have been perfecting the contemporary choreography of Carmen. Set in the heat of Southern Spain, it’s an award-winning production based on the original story from Prosper Mérimée’s 1845 novella, which was later reinterpreted in Georges Bizet’s 1875 opera.

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With the help of The Australian Ballet coryphée Drew Hedditch, Fashion Journal got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how the company is preparing for its upcoming performances of Carmen at the Sydney Opera House. Through Drew’s lens, we see the athleticism, dedication and artistry it takes to bring Johan Inger’s passionate choreography to life.

The Australian Ballet last worked with Johan Inger on I New Then in 2022. Inger’s unique vision and choreographic style showcase the changing nature of dance, with his signature style of modern concepts combined with classical music and expert technique.

Following the roots of Mérimée’s original text, guard Don José (Callum Linnane) becomes obsessed with femme fatale Carmen (Jill Ogai) after a fateful interaction.

The choreography features a strong Spanish influence, an homage to the original setting of the text.

Principal Artist Jill Ogai is one of three dancers in the role of Carmen. The subversive and seductive titular character is a dream role for female artists, calling for both technical mastery and acting prowess.

Zúñiga (Brett Chynoweth), Carmen (Jill Ogai), and Don José (Callum Linnane). When Don José later encounters Carmen and Zúñiga together, he shoots his rival.

Carmen has been adapted numerous times since its publication, including the 1915 silent film by Cecil B DeMille, Otto Preminger’s 1954 musical film Carmen Jones and a loose interpretation in the 2022 film from French choreographer Benjamin Millepied. Inger’s Carmen takes inspiration from Prosper Mérimée’s original novella, which is written from the viewpoint of Don José.

An ingenious set design by Curt Allen Wilmer and Leticia Gañan features three-sided prisms shifting through different configurations, with concrete, textured and mirrored surfaces obscuring and reflecting the characters.

Soloist Repetiteur Kirsty Martin takes notes during rehearsal.

Torero (Marcus Morelli) and Zúñiga (Brett Chynoweth) flirt with Carmen (Jill Ogai).

Rehearsals for Carmen began in February when the principal cast travelled to London to learn choreography with the English National Ballet. Choreographer Javier Rodríguez arrived in Melbourne to teach the dancers at the Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre ahead of the season.

Carmen will be showing at the Sydney Opera House from April 10 to April 27. Get your tickets here.