Ascent
Sydney Dance Company presents Ascent, an inspired triple bill consisting of two world premieres from renowned choreographers and the return of a smash hit.
In the Drama Theatre | Dance
COVID-19 safety information
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We encourage you to wear a mask in indoor settings or when physical distancing can’t be maintained, and please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Box Office team on 02 9250 7777.
Pre-sale and onsale information
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Wednesday 7 December
Season runs from Wednesday 15th March to Sunday 26th March 2023
Wednesday 15th March 7:00pm*
Thursday 16th March 6:30pm
Friday 17th March 8:30pm
Saturday 18th March 4:00pm
Saturday 18th March 8:30pm
Sunday 19th March 4:00pm
Tuesday 21st March 6:30pm
Wednesday 22nd March 6:30pm
Thursday 23rd March 6:30pm
Friday 24th March 8:30pm
Saturday 25th March 4:00pm†
Saturday 25th March 8:30pm
Sunday 26th March 4:00pm
*Opening Night, not onsale to General Public
†Audio Described performance with Tactile Tour
Standard tickets from $55 | $8.50 Booking Fee applies per transaction
Tuesday–Thursday evenings / Sat & Sun matinees
Ticket | Description & price |
---|---|
Standard | Adults aged 19+ |
Premium | $104 |
A Reserve | $94 |
B Reserve | $75 |
C Reserve | $55 |
Concession | Australian Pension card holders, Australian Seniors & Full-Time Students |
Premium | N/A |
A Reserve | $84 |
B Reserve | $65 |
C Reserve | $50 |
Under 18 | Prices are available to those born in 2005 or younger. Strictly limited to 4 tickets per transaction. |
Premium | N/A |
A Reserve | $35 |
B Reserve | $35 |
C Reserve | $35 |
Under 30 | Prices are available to those born in 1993 or younger. |
Premium | N/A |
A Reserve | $74 |
B Reserve | $55 |
C Reserve | $45 |
Groups 8+ | Please call +61 9250 7700 for more information |
Premium | N/A |
A Reserve | $84.60 |
B Reserve | $67.50 |
C Reserve | $49.50 |
Friday & Saturday Evenings
Ticket | Description & price |
---|---|
Standard | Adults aged 19+ |
Premium | $110 |
A Reserve | $100 |
B Reserve | $80 |
C Reserve | $57 |
Concession | Australian Pension card holders, Australian Seniors & Full-Time Students |
Premium | N/A |
A Reserve | $90 |
B Reserve | $70 |
C Reserve | $52 |
Groups 8+ | Please call +61 9250 7700 for more information |
Premium | N/A |
A Reserve | $90 |
B Reserve | $72 |
C Reserve | $51.30 |
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection. Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times
The authorised ticket agencies for this event are Sydney Opera House and Sydney Dance Company. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the FAQ below.
In English | Wheelchair accessible | Audio loop available | Audio Described performance with Tactile Tour
AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE with TACTILE TOUR
Saturday 25th March 4:00pm
Audio description is the auditory narration of visual representations such as films, exhibitions and live performances, describing the visual elements of a scene or settings, actions and costumes. It is particularly beneficial to people who are blind or have low vision, offering an understanding of what is being represented visually.
The tactile tour is available at 3.15pm prior to the performance of Ascent on Saturday 25 March 4pm. Patrons who are blind or have low vision will experience hands on access to some costumes, props and stage elements in order to capture the atmosphere of the work. Sydney Dance Company staff will relay the context of each piece and how it is used in the performance.
For any special access requirements phone the Contact Centre on 02 9250 7777 or email bookings@sydneyoperahouse.com.
Recommended for ages 12+. This production contains theatrical haze, strobe lighting, laser pointers and partial nudity. Recording devices are strictly prohibited. Please switch off your mobile phones during the performance.
Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times, and children under the age of 12 are not required to wear a mask.
“An inventive and adventurous ride…original and evocative.”
★★★★
Time Out, on Forever & Ever
An inspired triple bill of fine artistry
Ascent, co-commissioned by Canberra Theatre Centre, is an inspired triple bill featuring the reprise of Antony Hamilton's Helpmann Award-winning Forever & Ever, and world premieres by renowned international choreographers Marina Mascarell and Rafael Bonachela.
Brimming with physicality, Ascent tempers contemporary classical with futuristic experimentation. Full of electric movement and emotional force, Ascent is an arresting portrait of contemporary dance and its potential to move, excite and activate audiences.
Brought to life by Sydney Dance Company’s superb ensemble, this triple bill is complete with inventive installations and magnetic musical scores. Running from 15-26 March, Ascent is a creative union at once forceful, sumptuous, and dizzying.
Presented by Sydney Dance Company
Proudly funded by
This project is proudly supported by the NSW Government through the Blockbusters Funding initiative.
Artist Information
Forever & Ever
Choreographer: Antony Hamilton
Composer: Julian Hamilton
Costume Designer: Paula Levis
Lighting Designer: Ben Cisterne
The Shell, A Ghost, The Host & The Lyrebird (World Premiere)
Choreographer: Marina Mascarell
Composer: Nick Wales
Costume & Set Designers: Lauren Brincat and Leah Giblin
Lighing Designer: Damien Cooper
I Am-ness (World Premiere)
Choreographer: Rafael Bonachela
Lighting Designer: Damien Cooper
Creatives
Rafael Bonachela
Rafael Bonachela is a Choreographer, Artistic Director and Curator whose career has seen him successfully span high art and popular ulture, working across a range of art forms, including contemporary dance, art installations, pop concerts, musicals, film, commercials and fashion.
Bonachela was born in La Garriga near Barcelona (1972) where he began his early dance training before moving to London to join the legendary Rambert Dance Company where he danced from 1992 to 2004.
In 2008, Rafael premiered his first full-length production 360° for Sydney Dance Company. Less than six months later he was appointed Artistic Director, making international headlines and heralding a new era in Australian contemporary dance. His vision for the Company embraces a guiding principle that sees commissioned dance works by Australian and International choreographers alongside his own critically acclaimed creations.
In 2022, Cartier announced Rafael as a new Friend of the Maison. From his internationally recognised talent as both a dancer and choreographer, to his commitments supporting a new generation of emerging artists and choreographers, Bonachela embodies values cherished by Cartier: strength of character, virtuosity and the ability to find beauty wherever it may lie.
Bonachela’s work is strong, sober and sharp. The exploration of pure movement is where he finds his unmistakable style. The result is an incandescent dance that springs from the power of movement, in which energy and muscle strength combine with a great emotional sensitivity.
Marina Mascarell
Marina Mascarell (Oliva, Spain,1980) is a choreographer based in The Netherlands. Resident Choreographer at Korzo Theatre in The Hague between 2011-21, Associated Artist at Mercat de les Flors in Barcelona since 2018 and founder and artistic director of MEI(s) Foundation.
In her art, the reflections, inquiries and concepts turn into a poetic fight, where thought transforms into corporeality and movement. Marina is interested in a rebellious body characterized by questioning ‘normativity’. In the dancing body as a form of resistance, deeply rooted in political and social action.
Besides her independent work, Marina has also been commissioned to create pieces by different institutions such as Nederlands Dans Theater 1 and 2, GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, Biennale de la Danse of Lyon with Lyon Opera Ballet, Skanes Dansteater, Dance Forum Taipei among others. She collaborates as well with fellow artists in the fields of visual arts, film, music and theatre.
Her work has been seen in The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Taiwan, China, Korea, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. She has been recognised and awarded with several prizes along her career such as BNG Excellent Dans Award 2015.
She has recently published a book ‘embodying thought’ about her methodology and creative process with Coma Negra publishing company, Mercat de les Flors and Institut del Teatre, Barcelona.
Alongside her work as a choreographer, Marina has developed a practice which is strongly linked to her choreographic process. A method focus in movement research and the increase of body awareness. She teaches workshops at different festivals, and universities.
Marina has been a former member of Nederlands Dans Theater 1 and 2 and Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in New York City.
Venue Information
Performances are being sold to 100% capacity in line with the NSW Public Health Order. This includes all shows in the Concert Hall, Joan Sutherland Theatre, Studio, Playhouse, Drama Theatre, Utzon Room and Forecourt. Please note that you will be seated directly alongside other ticketholders.
Our foyers will be open 90 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars. Please remember to maintain physical distancing whilst consuming drinks in our foyers.
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer consistent with COVID-safe rules.
Transport options
- The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see their website for details.
- Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel and COVID-19 safety measures. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House.
What safety measures have you implemented?
Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of everyone on site, and we are closely following NSW Health guidelines and advice. The Sydney Opera House is registered as a COVID Safe business with the NSW Government. For detailed information about our COVID-19 safety measures and what’s required of you when visiting, please see our plan your visit page.
What am I required to do as an audience member?
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during the performance. Please bring your own mask.
As you move around the Opera House, practise physical distancing (1.5 metres whenever possible) and follow the guidance provided by our staff and signage.
Within venues, always take your allocated seat.
For detailed information about our COVID-19 safety measures and what’s required of you, please see our plan your visit page.
Do I need to be vaccinated to visit the Sydney Opera House?
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Am I required to wear a mask?
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during the performance. Please bring your own mask.
How are you managing contact tracing?
Contact information is required when making a booking with us and upon arrival at the Opera House, as set out in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events and our Customer Privacy Statement.
As the ticket purchaser, you are responsible for recording the contact details of your guests. Contact information will only be used for the purposes of contact tracing, if required, and will be deleted at least 28 days after your event.
What time do I need to arrive before the event?
Ticket purchases and collection at our Box Office is discouraged and eTicket or postal delivery methods should be used, wherever possible. However, if you are collecting your tickets from the Box Office, we recommend doing this at least 60 minutes before the event starts. If you have already received your tickets, the venue doors will be open 45 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 30 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Please take your seats as soon as you arrive.
If you are late, we will seat you as soon as we can and, where possible, in your allocated seat. However, to reduce movement in the venue as well as minimise disruption to the performance and other patrons, ticketholders may be seated in an allocated latecomer’s seat. Please be aware that some events have lock-out periods. In these cases, latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance. On occasions, this may not be until the interval, or at all where there is no interval.
Details of our right to refuse admission can be found in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Events.
Will there be bag checks, and is cloaking available?
In accordance with our venue security procedures, Opera House security will be scanning and checking bags under the Monumental Stairs, prior to entering the building. Bags will be scanned by an x-ray machine, and staff will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling your belongings, such as gloves. Cloaking facilities will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 60 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. However it is strongly encouraged that you travel lightly to minimise contact and queuing. Any bags larger than an A4 piece of paper will need to be checked into the Cloak Room.
What safety measures do you have in place?
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We have a number of safety measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We encourage visitors to wear a face mask in indoor settings or when physical distancing can’t be maintained. Please stay home if you feel unwell and read more about our flexible ticket options here.
Does my child need to wear a face mask?
Children under the age of 12 are not required to wear a face mask.
Who are the authorised ticket sellers for this event?
The authorised agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House.
Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered reliable. If you purchase tickets from a non-authorised agency such as Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or any other unauthorised seller, you risk that these tickets are fake, void or have previously been cancelled. RESALE RESTRICTION APPLIES. For more details, please refer to our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events.
What if I can't come to my performance?
Please contact Box Office on 9250 7777 as soon as possible to advise if you can no longer attend. If you can no longer attend because you are unwell, or have been in contact with someone displaying COVID-19 symptoms, the Opera House has introduced flexible ticketing options to help you, find out more information here.
Will there be food and beverages available for purchase in the venue?
Foyers will be open 90 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars.
The venue doors will be open 45 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 30 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances.
Please bring a credit or debit card for any on site purchases to enable contactless payment. You’re welcome to bring your own water bottle but no other food and drinks are permitted inside our venues. Opera Bar, Opera Kitchen and Portside are also available for you to enjoy.
Will there be pram parking at kids performances?
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to the foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres consistent with COVID-safe rules.
Can my baby sit on my lap?
Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times. Babies aged 0-2 years old at the time of a performance may be seated on an adult’s lap. Children 2 years and older will need to hold a standard ticket.
Can I smoke at the Opera House?
- The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at the Sydney Opera House is our top priority. In line with this commitment, the Opera House will become a smoke-free site from Saturday 1 January 2022.
- By becoming a smoke-free site, the Opera House seeks to reduce exposure to harmful second-hand smoke, as well as minimise the impact of smoking on the environment, including litter and pollution of the surrounding marine environment.
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