<P>Photo by Charlotte MacMillan<P><BR><B>ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET ANNOUNCES NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR</B><P>24 July 2001<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>The Royal New Zealand Ballet today confirmed the appointment of Gary Harris as its new Artistic Director. He will take up the position later this year.<P>Gary's appointment follows the decision of the company's present Artistic Director, Matz Skoog, to accept the post of Artistic Director, English National Ballet.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Here is the link to the full <A HREF="http://www.nzballet.org.nz/News/media_release20010724.html" TARGET=_blank><B>Press Release</B></A> on the RNZB's website.

From the Company's Home Page:<P><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><B>History</B> <P>The Royal New Zealand Ballet was formed in 1953 by Danish Royal Ballet Principal Dancer Poul Gnatt. The Company's early days of touring embodied the New Zealand pioneering spirit. Performing night in night out, Company members unloaded and repacked the set, rigged the lights and ironed the costumes, with local community members providing accommodation. <P>The spirit of those days survives, and the support of the New Zealand public remains. The Royal New Zealand Ballet is seen as an intrinsic part of the country's national heritage, and has the largest following of all New Zealand performing arts companies.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><BR>I was in New Zealand many years ago for a wonderful vacation - what a beautiful country and friendly people! <P>That the country is divided between two islands would seem to make touring much more difficult, and as I remember it, there were excellent roads but very few freeways. And according to their website, they still tour a great deal. <P>Though the cities certainly are vibrant, they are separated by a great deal of rural expanse. Reading this brought back a lot of happy memories - and I wish them lots of luck.<BR>

And another article:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>New ballet director to break from traditions<P>Bernadette Rae, New Zealand Herald<P>His style is high energy, enthusiastic and, as the new artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Gary Harris says he "likes having a laugh".<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><a href=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/entertainmentstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=202726&thesection=entertainment&thesubsection=arts&thesecondsubsection=general target=_blank>More</a>

<B>Ballet - stroppy sheilas, sexy divas</B> <BR>Sassy and spectacular ... that's how the RNZB artistic director describes some of its new season's productions to BERNADETTE RAE in The New Zealand Herald.<P><BR>Gary Harris, the new artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, had nothing to do with designing the 2002 Subscription Series, announced this week. It will be another year before his influence will be reflected in the choice of the company's major works. <P>But his description of the coming year's activities is all his own. <P>"It's a year for stroppy sheilas and sexy divas," he says. <P><A HREF="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?thesection=news&thesubsection=&storyID=222914" TARGET=_blank><B>click for more</B></A>