The Australian Ballet has hit back at a scathing review of its latest show Études and Circle Electric, after a critic remarked that dancers seemed ‘unusually thin’.
The brutal review was published in the Sydney Morning Herald on May 5th, and saw dance critic Chantal Nguyen award the Sydney Opera House performance just 1.5 stars out of five.
In one passage, Nguyen wrote: ‘The dancers are fabulous, although – and perhaps this was the lighting – seem unusually thin this season.’
Australian Ballet artistic director David Hallberg has since hit back, saying comments about dancers’ bodies won’t be tolerated.
‘Commentary regarding body image is not acceptable and I am compelled to address this,’ Hallberg, who is also an acclaimed ballet dancer, said in a statement.
The Australian Ballet has hit back at a scathing review of its latest show Études and Circle Electric, after a critic remarked that dancers seemed ‘unusually thin’. (Pictured: Australian Ballet artistic director David Hallberg)
‘Comments about weight, shape and body comparisons can have a serious negative impact on a person’s self-esteem and body image and can be detrimental to individuals’ mental and physical health’, he continued.
Hallberg noted that professional ballet dancer are at ‘high risk’ of developing ‘body image concerns, disordered eating and eating disorders’, and said that comments like these should be ‘eradicated in our art form, in sporting codes and in society’.
He went on to highlight the Australian Ballet’s commitment to maintaining a positive environment for dancers by collaborating with the National Eating Disorders Collaboration.
‘Comments about weight, shape and body comparisons can have a serious negative impact on a person’s self-esteem and body image and can be detrimental to individuals’ mental and physical health’, Hallberg said in a statement. (Pictured: Dancers of the Australian Ballet)
Together, the organisations have created a set of ‘body image and disordered eating guidelines’ to help dancers form healthy habits while preventing and managing eating disorders.
‘We believe that by taking the steps outlined in this plan, we can create a safe and supportive environment for our dancers to thrive both on and off the stage, build long and fulfilling careers, and excel in their post-dance lives,’ Hallberg said.
Speaking to the ABC, Hallberg said that while the Australian Ballet ‘welcomes the critique of the artform’, it doesn’t welcome critique of ‘dancers’ bodies, shapes and sizes.’
He claimed the Australian Ballet had asked the Sydney Morning Herald to remove the line, but the publication refused.
‘They said they felt it was frankly ridiculous that any discussion about body image cannot be discussed in a review,’ Hallberg alleged.
Hallberg noted that professional ballet dancer are at ‘high risk’ of developing ‘body image concerns, disordered eating and eating disorders’, and said that comments like these should be ‘eradicated in our art form, in sporting codes and in society’. (Pictured: A dancer of the Australian Ballet)
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