The Meridian Season of Don Quixote, currently touring New Zealand, will be the last chance ballet fans have to see Royal New Zealand Ballet dancers Yu Takayama and Jo Funaki.
The immensely talented dancers, who are great crowd favourites, have announced they are leaving at the end of the year to return home to Japan.The Meridian Season of Don Quixote, currently touring New Zealand, will be the last chance ballet fans have to see Royal New Zealand Ballet dancers Yu Takayama and Jo Funaki.
The immensely talented dancers, who are great crowd favourites, have announced they are leaving at the end of the year to return home to Japan.Artistic Director Gary Harris has worked with both artists extensively since their arrival to the company five years ago.
"We are always sorry to lose such talented dancers. They have made an enormous contribution to the RNZB, both personally and professionally" he says.
"We wish them all the best for their future together."
Takayama and Funaki are looking forward to being closer to family and friends, exploring new opportunities, and getting married. Takayama says the pair have loved their time with the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
"We love New Zealand and are residents, so we hope to visit as often as we can." Takayama was cast into the spotlight within weeks of joining the company in 2004, when at short notice she stepped into the lead role of Madame Butterfly.
Critics enthused then about her "sublime Butterfly, her feather-like lightness and grace captured the ill-fated geisha perfectly."
Takayama is currently performing as Kitri in Don Quixote, but may be best remembered in New Zealand for her leading role as Cinderella in the 2007 hit production. Takayama also thrilled with lead roles in Coppelia and Giselle.
Reviewers for her performance as Kitri in Don Quixote have described her as "strong and beautiful", and labelled her precise classical technique "crisp and gorgeous".
"Yu Takayama gave a firecracker of a performance with the audience giving her several ovations throughout the performance," one reviewer noted.
Funaki has said that acting and performing on stage are the loves of his life.
Following one performance in Tutus On Tour, a reviewer noted: "Jo Funaki was a treat of liquid movement and grace, coupled with spot-on timing."
But it was his portrayal of the role of the ill-fated Mercutio in this year's season of Romeo & Juliet that left critics raving and audiences cheering.
"In the role of Mercutio, Jo Funaki has the character of his career," one said.
The Meridian Season of Don Quixote features different artists in lead roles and Yu Takayama will not perform Kitri in every performance. For daily castings refer to the website NZ Ballet
Auckland 3 - 7 December
Featuring the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
Aotea Centre at THE EDGE ®
Hamilton 10 -11 December
Founders Theatre
02/12/08