Bella Figura by Jiří Kylián – A Dance Masterpiece Inspiring New Zealand’s Performing Arts Scene

Bella Figura, choreographed by the legendary Jiří Kylián and performed by Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT 1), is more than a contemporary ballet — it’s a haunting exploration of beauty, vulnerability, and transformation. For New Zealand’s vibrant performing arts community, this masterpiece offers profound creative resonance and inspiration.

Across Aotearoa, from the stages of The Royal New Zealand Ballet to experimental movement collectives in Wellington and Dunedin, Kylián’s work is studied and revered. Bella Figura speaks directly to Kiwi dancers, choreographers, and theatre-makers who are drawn to emotionally layered storytelling and bold visual design. With its use of bare staging, partial nudity, and theatrical lighting, this performance challenges the boundaries of traditional dance — something that mirrors the independent, boundary-pushing spirit of New Zealand's arts scene.

For Māori and Pasifika artists exploring physical storytelling, Kylián’s work is a reminder of how movement can carry cultural weight without needing language. His themes — identity, duality, and the passage of time — align beautifully with indigenous perspectives and the storytelling kaupapa of our local scene.

Whether you’re training at New Zealand School of Dance, choreographing for a fringe festival, or engaging in cross-disciplinary performance art, Bella Figura offers a world-class benchmark and a catalyst for your own creative evolution.

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Daniel Chyi 戚钊

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