There’ll be bells, wheels, a live singer, and, allegedly, a special guest who’s been training in Thailand.
Other than that, the detail of this year’s Remarkable Men’s Ballet performance during this Sunday’s Christmas show, 12 Bells of Christmas, is a tightly-kept secret.
Choreographer Anna Stuart, who estimates she’s been working with the motley crew of men who form the ballet troupe for about 10 years, won’t even divulge the theme for this year’s dance, other than to say it’s ‘‘not your normal classical piece’’.
And attempts by Mountain Scene to get more information from two elder members (in experience, obviously, not age) of the troupe were also stymied.
Local councillor and broadcaster Craig ‘Ferg’ Ferguson — who says his involvement with the troupe goes back ‘‘to the days of the Alamo’’ — confirms the dancers this year include a returnee, with a gymnastics background, who’ll add elements of surprise and delight.
‘‘There’s always lifts and tricks and, when you look at the composition of the men’s ballet, you’ve got to have one of those who can do those things, and we’ve got one who’s very athletic and supple.’’
Fellow dancer Bert Haines, perhaps best known locally for his fancy feet on the ice, playing for Queenstown’s New Zealand champion SkyCity Stampede ice hockey team, also won’t dish the dirt, but notes ‘‘it’s going to be exceptional’’.
‘‘We want to provide something special for the audience, so you can’t just go away and start talking about what we’re doing.’’
Ferguson, however, has divulged there’ll be a ‘‘special guest’’ and one ‘‘very special’’ returnee.
‘‘He’s doing his training in Thailand — am I allowed to say that?’’
This year’s corps numbers about 11 local lads, the majority of whom only see each other once a year as they prepare for the annual show, now in its 12th year.
‘‘We’ve all got our jobs around the Basin, and we all rendezvous for this,’’ Ferguson says.
‘‘It’s six weeks of camaraderie and rekindling friendships.’’
Haines: “That’s what the Remarkable Men’s Ballet is all about, friendships.
“And the dancing.
“[And] maybe the dress.”
Tickets for 12 Bells of Christmas, being performed at 1pm and 5pm on Sunday at the Queenstown Events Centre, are available from Eventfinda
