Dancer's fall brings down the curtain

Yu Takayama (pictured left with Jo Funaki) attempted to dance on after a fall in a performance on Wednesday night. Picture / Stephen A'Court

The audience at the Royal New Zealand Ballet's Auckland premiere of its new season got a little more drama than they'd paid for when a lead dancer collapsed on the floor during a solo routine.

Yu Takayama fell heavily during the last performance of the company's triple bill of A Million Kisses to My Skin on Wednesday night. She tried to continue, but couldn't and hobbled off the stage.

The curtain was hastily drawn and artistic director Gary Harris went on stage to say Ms Takayama had sustained "a nasty injury".

The eight remaining dancers continued without her.

Ballet company spokesman George Hills confirmed Ms Takayama suffered a heavy fall, but was unsure if it was because her long, flowing skirt got caught under her shoe.

Initial tests show Ms Takayama has ligament damage to her right knee, and will not be continuing with the troupe when it heads to the South Island, San Francisco and Sydney.

Adriana Harper will take over Ms Takayama's role for the remainder of the tour, which ends in Auckland tomorrow night.

Ballet company spokesman George Hills said falls are "a really rare occurrence, but it does happen".

He added: "Lots of us have seen rugby stars injured in a game, and it's important to remember that dancers are athletes as well as artists.

"But it's not like a rugby team where we can call someone off the benches. The audience were really fantastic; they applauded. There was a lot of goodwill in the audience."