While producers and heads of arts organisations in Victoria and New South Wales bite their nails as they continue to postpone live performances due to a second wave of coronavirus infections, things are looking very different in Western Australia. There, performing arts companies are gradually returning to the stage thanks to the easing of restrictions due to the lack of community transmission.

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra has announced a Remixed 2020 program, opening on October 2. Meanwhile, West Australian Ballet is to perform a fully staged production of Dracula at His Majesty’s Theatre in September – its first major production since COVID-19 closed theatre doors. Prior to that, it will present Genesis LIVE, a season of short works by WA dancers, at the West Australian Ballet Centre from July 30. At the end of the year, in traditional, festive fashion, it plans to perform The Nutcracker at His Majesty’s.

Aurélien Scannella and Matthew Lehmann as Old and Young Dracula. Photograph © Frances Andrijich

Not that WA Ballet’s Artistic Director Aurélien Scannella is taking anything for granted. “So far, so good,” he says. “The WA State Government has taken some drastic decisions...