Glam Rocks As Stars Of Paris Opera Ballet Bring On The Bling

WITH their hips jutting this way and that, legs and arms flung outwards at impossible angles, Delphine Moussin and Jeremie Belingard prepared yesterday for George Balanchine's Jewels, a ballet inspired by the choreographer's career in Russia, the US and France.

Paris Opera Ballet Soars

SWAN LAKE Capitol Theatre, Haymarket. Until June 24. Tickets $65-$215. Bookings 1300 136 166. Critic's rating: 8/10

Scene @ Clubland Premiere, Palace Como *rockstar Karaoke Launch, Live, Crown * Australian Ballet New Romantics Opening Night, Arts Centre

IT'S A sad state of affairs when a future Neighbours star gets more attention than an Academy Award nominee. Yet that appeared to be the case on Monday when Clubland, one of the best films of the year, premiered at Como, Toorak. While Brenda Blethyn - donning an embroidered black dress by local designer "Lena, Laura. . . what was her name again? Oh yes, Leona Edminston" - was warmly greeted by a multitude of adoring (if ageing) fans, it was a cocky Sweeney Young that worked the event like he was ...

Wheeldon's Vision Will Stick To The Pointe

The British choreographer says classical ballet is alive and well - in Australia. Jo Roberts reports. CHRISTOPHER Wheeldon sees himself as a keeper of the flame. The British-born superstar of choreography knows that fewer and fewer creators of new dance are committed to keeping the classical ballet technique alive. In fact, it's metaphorical gloves off for Wheeldon when it comes to choreographers who take off the pointe shoes.

Paquita. By The Australian Ballet

4/5 Paquita. By the Australian Ballet, State Theatre, the Arts Centre. Until June 18. Tel. 1300 136 166. $30 to $107.

Paris Opera Ballet Grand Gala Performance Opera House

hit For this legendary French ballet company's first performance in Australia, hosts Veuve Clicquot turned the Opera House's interior yellow with 2400 of their signature roses. Enjoying a post-performance reception were the Australian Ballet's Richard Evans and David McCallister, Paul Keating and Julieanne Newbould, Frank and Monique Sartor, Margaret Olley and Janette Howard.

No-frills Ballet

The Australian Ballet's new season takes Balanchine's stripped bare aesthetic as its lead. Lucy Beaumont wonders what's left without the tutu as ballet goes out for a jog. IT WAS A SIMPLE GESTURE that perfectly blended old and new. The young god clenches one hand and splays the fingers on his other hand skyward. Then the first hand splays and second clenches - on-off like a switch.

Partners In Prime: Well-balanced Relationship Key To Success

MANUEL LEGRIS demanded to learn to dance when he was four. One of 17 principals, known as "etoiles" at the Paris Opera Ballet, Legris arrived in Sydney on Sunday for the company's first visit to Australia. Legris will dance four times in Sydney with the glamorous principal Aurelie Dupont, 34, who is also the "face" of French jewellery company Chaumet.

My Book Of Ballet Stories

My Book Of Ballet Stories Marcia Hatfield New Holland, $19.95

Pas De Deux: A Muse Shines, A Veteran Bows Out

MARGOT FONTEYN was Frederick Aston's. Janet Vernon has long been Graeme Murphy's. Now it's principal artist Madeleine Eastoe's turn to slip into the famed ballet role of muse.