Kate Kadow and Laurynas Vejalis in the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s performance of Paquita. Carl Fabergé-inspired costumes by Donna Jefferis and Barker are rich and shimmering to match sparkle of the dancers’ technique. Kate Kadow and Laurynas Vėjalis perform the central grand pas de deux which incorporates an exquisite adagio and impressive solos – snappy fouettés from Kadow and a breathtaking display of split leaps and extraordinary pas d élévation from Vėjalis. Cadence Barrack, Katherine Skelton and Kirby Selchow execute choreographically interesting and challenging solos. The corps de ballet and coryphee are asked to step up in this ballet – and they do. It is indeed an opportunity for “everyone to shine” as stated in the programme notes.
This season of Giselle is dedicated to Bill Sheat, a stalwart of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. He would have been proud of this rendering of a much-loved classic.