Ballet BC

Nutcracker

When & Where December 13, 14 &15, 2024; December 13 at 6:30pm, December 14 at 1pm, December 14 at 6:30pm, December 15 at 1pm and December 15 at 6:30pm | Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Reviewer Ross Michael Pink


The Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) is a jewel in the dance world and famed company where the acclaimed dancer Evelyn Hart graced the stage.

It was therefore a captivating evening for Vancouver dance aficionados to watch the RWB perform Nutcracker in Vancouver after a multi-year performance absence. The RWB, guided by superb artistic director Andre Lewis, a former RWB dancer, is a stellar world renowned company.

The Nutcracker, originated in 1892, is a 2 act story set on Christmas Eve beside a Christmas tree. It is a story of imagination, dreams, fantasy and beauty with an enduring message of Christmas magic. The RWB version, with a Canadian theme, is set in Winnipeg.

The Nutcracker, as Lewis noted gratefully in pre-performance remarks, was sold out. Lewis also announced to the disappointment of many that he will be retiring after a 30 year superb career as Artistic director and 50 year association with the Company.

The RWB version of Nutcracker sparkles on many levels. The dancers, refined and elegant are beauty in motion and possess the hallmark of requisite extraordinary precision dance technique.

The timeless Nutcracker story features the music of famed composer Tchaikovsky. The choreography was artistically provided by Galina Yordanova and Nina Menon. The lavish and lovely costumes were designed by Paul Daigle. Scenic design which was authentic and realistic was led by Brian Perchaluk.

Principal dancers Elizabeth Lamont, Alanna McAdie and Stephen Azulay are beautiful, natural and poised performers. They dance with gentle grace a hallmark of the best classical dancers. Soloists JaimiDeleau, Peter Lancksweerdt and Michael Lavoie are standouts.

The children in costumes as polar bear cubs were a crowd warming moment. All the dancers of RWB deserve applause for beautiful and graceful dance performances that entirely pleased the audience.

Naturally, ballet is a world of fantasy, dreams and beauty. Thus the best dancers make extraordinary, rigorous and athletic dance motion look beautiful and graceful. That perhaps is the true gift that the classical ballet dancer gives to the audience. The RWB dancers gave this gift to the Vancouver enthralled audience and earned a well-deserved standing ovation.

© 2024 Ross Michael Pink