Celebrated dancer Madeline Eastoe announces her retirement from Australian Ballet.

One of the finest Ballet dancers ever produced by Australia, Madeline Eastoe, has announced her retirement after a spectacular eighteen year career, dancing with Australian Ballet.

In a poetically apt coincidence, Eastoe will be hanging up her pointe shoes after performing the title role in the Australian Ballet’s upcoming production of Giselle – the first role that Eastoe danced after being promoted to Principal Artist of the company, in 2006. “Being able to revisit a cherished role in your career is a blessing, especially such a fragile, pure and free spirited character,” Eastoe said.

Eastoe joined the Australian Ballet after graduating from the Australian Ballet School in 1997. Celebrated for her magnetic stage presence and flawless technique, most recently Eastoe wowed critics and audiences alike with her performance in Australian Ballet’s sumptuous production of Swan Lake. The role of Princess Odette in Swan Lake has been one of Eastoe’s most lauded characters, delighting audiences all over the world including Paris, Japan and Manchester. Her other career highlights include Clara in Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker, Manon in the great Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s production and the title role in Alexi Ratmansky’s Cinderella.

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