The National Arts Centre is ringing in the start of the Christmas season with this week’s premiere of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s uniquely Canadian production of The Nutcracker.
The original ballet was adapted for dance in 1892 from the E.T.A. Hoffman story called The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, and is traditionally set in 19th-century Russia. However, the Royal Winnipeg made significant changes to the production elements of the ballet to make it more accessible to Canadian audiences.
“The Royal Winnipeg Ballet has staged its production in Canada,” says Tina Legari, the NAC’s associate dance producer for The Nutcracker, which is being performed Dec. 2 to Dec. 6, Wednesday through Sunday.
“It has included Canadian elements such as Parliament Hill in one scene, 19th-century costuming, a hockey game on a frozen pond, and new this year: polar bears,” she says.
This Canadianized production of The Nutcracker was created in 1999 and actually premiered at of the NAC that year.
While the Royal Winnipeg’s production features definite artistic changes, it maintains the classic Christmas tale of Clara’s adventures with her nutcracker prince that audiences have come to love for more than 100 years.
“A variety of new choreography has been created and each company stages its own version, but the traditional Tchaikovsky score always remains an integral part of the production, as does the story,” says Legari.
As well as being an imported ballet from Winnipeg, this production incorporates young Ottawa dancers from several studios throughout the city in supporting roles such as Mounties, polar bears and guests at Clara’s Christmas party.
“Large companies like this are doing a great service to young dancers in the community by giving them this opportunity,” says Amber Harvie, assistant director of the Cumbrae School of Dancing in Orleans.
“They not only get to perform alongside professional dancers, but are on a professional stage with props, lighting and a stage crew,” she says. “It’s a big deal for them!”
Courtney Dinelle-Mayer, one of Harvie’s students cast in The Nutcracker, says she’s thrilled to be a part of the ballet. The Nutcracker was the show that inspired her to take ballet lessons, and so the incorporation of local dancers in this production is allowing her to achieve her dream.
“We have two children playing the role of angels, four will be mice and four will be polar bears,” says Harvie. “I know that the polar bears are a new addition to this production, and are a great way to include more local youth.”
The incorporation of local dancers is a key part of the production every year.
“Allowing young, local dancers the opportunity to perform in The Nutcracker is one of the most anticipated events of the year,” says Legari. “A local rehearsal director is engaged by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and every other dance company that brings their Nutcracker to Ottawa, to prepare over 60 children for their performances.”
The National Arts Centre will be staging The Nutcracker in Southam Hall.