Star couple return for Perth City Ballet⿿s Don Quixote

KARRINYUP dancer Fiona Evans has not missed the constant training since she retired from WA Ballet last February, following the birth of her second daughter, but admitted she does miss the stage.

Evans and her husband, retiring WA Ballet principal Sergey Pevnev will reunite under the Quarry Amphitheatre spotlight for Perth City Ballet’s Don Quixote season from January 13 to 16.

“I had a very satisfying career but getting to perform on stage is always nice,” Evans said.

“The only nerves I have are with the thought that I don’t have time to get back into shape.

“The only time I’ve performed since retirement was when Sergey and I did a little private duet for my daughter’s day care.

“They were really into ballet and one of the carer’s asked if we might be able to do a little dance for the children, so we did the White Cat and Puss-in-Boots pas de deux from Sleeping Beauty; it was my comeback.”

Evans will perform the role of The Street Dancer opposite Pevnev as Toreador while guest artist Denis Veginiy from Semperoper Ballett in Dresden, Germany will dance lead role Basilio with WA Ballet’s Florence Leroux-Coleno as Kitri.

They will be joined by Spanish dance and flamenco company Danza Viva and young dancers from Perth City Ballet.

“It’s a fun and light-hearted ballet,” Evans said.

“I didn’t want to do the main part because it’s quite challenging for the main couple, it’s quite technical.”

Evans, who now teaches part time at John Curtin College of the Arts, WAAPA and Academie Etoiles, said she looked forward to this summer season under the stars.

“We’ve been helping out with Perth City Ballet for the past few years,” she said.

“It’s a good opportunity for our local students to get together and get some stage experience and work with professional dancers.”

THE ESSENTIALS

What: Perth City Ballet’s Don Quixote

Where: Quarry Amphitheatre, City Beach

When: January 13 to 16

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com.au