This year marks the return to his birthplace of former Director of The Australian Ballet David McAllister, who is the very welcome Guest Artistic Director of The West Australian Ballet. His first official duty is to be present at the inimitable Quarry to herald the opening night not only of WA Ballet’s first season but of the 2024 Perth Festival.

This opening season features two Australian premiers and one world premier by British choreographers George Williamson (dubbed a rising star of British dance) and the also much lauded David Dawson, regarded as a trend setter on the international ballet scene. To accompany these illustrious offerings is the delicious surprise of the evening, the short but masterful 3 min 40, choreographed by Gakuro Matsui, Principal Dancer of the WA Ballet.

What transpires is a well-calibrated mix of charm, lyricism, and choreographic precision which conspires to show off the exquisite skill, prowess, boundless energy and virtuosity of the company’s dancers.

Jack Whiter and Kassidy Thompson in Gakuro Matsui’s 3 min, 40. Photo © Bradbury Photography

To watch all this is a privilege in itself; the dance and the dancers were beautiful, but...