The Australian Ballet has announced that it is unable to proceed with performances scheduled at Arts Centre Melbourne in 2021 because of the continuing uncertainty caused by COVID-19 and the ongoing lockdowns and restrictions resulting from the spread of the Delta variant.

Robyn Hendricks and Adam Bull in Anna Karenina, The Australian Ballet. Photo © Jeff Busby

As a result, a total of 44 performances will be postponed to 2022. These include Romeo and Juliet, which was due to open on 27 August, Harlequinade scheduled for September, and Anna Karenina scheduled for October. The new dance festival DanceX, due to take place in September, has also been postponed.

This means that the company will not have taken to the stage in its Melbourne home, Arts Centre Melbourne, since March 2020, although it has performed during 2021 in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide – where Anna Karenina had its Australian premiere in July.

“Unfortunately, The Australian Ballet cannot continue to prepare for seasons that are unlikely to proceed, or perform in theatres with restricted capacity,” said TAB Executive Director Libby Christie.

“We depend on ticket sales for over 60%...