Snowflakes sweeping across the stage in a sea of white tutus, the Nutcracker battling the scheming Mouse King, Klara saving the day with her slipper… what Christmas is complete without the magical story of The Nutcracker?
This enchanting tradition began in the early 1950s when Russian-American George Balanchine, already celebrated in his own time as the greatest choreographer of the 20th century, shocked audiences by announcing his first full-length ballet would be The Nutcracker. From its first premiere, the ballet was an instant classic.
Dance Victoria has presented The Nutcracker every holiday season for the last 10 years. This year, Alberta Ballet is returning with their multimillion-dollar production of The Nutcracker, which that premiered in 2009. Set in Imperialist Russia, Emmy-winning designer Zac Brown painted this classic in rich purples and reds, and bright blues and oranges.
“What’s really special about this production, for me, are the incredible costumes: coats lined in fur, beautiful white foxes, creepy, life-like mice with rubbery tails… This, in my estimation, is the most beautiful Nutcracker in western North America. I have seen a lot and can say this with confidence,” says Stephen White, Dance Victoria producer for the past 14 years.
The dance company has grown incredibly since they began; their success is due to their passion for dance and their ability to pick productions that resonate with their audiences, like The Nutcracker.
“When I started, it was a small operation, a part-time gig that had an annual budget of about $25,000,” says White. “Today, we have our own 12,000 square foot studios at Hillside and Quadra, four staff, and an annual budget of $1.3 million. It has been and continues to be a labour of love.”
White says fitting a large show like The Nutcracker on a relatively small stage like The Royal Theatre creates some interesting challenges.
“In 2009,” recalls White, “the Alberta Ballet brought two full-size transport trucks full of sets and costumes, only to find that they were only able to use about half the sets.”
Alberta Ballet partners with 60 local children from 15 different dance studios who auditioned in September and have been drilled on their steps since then by local rehearsal director Wendy Vernon.
“The whole thing comes together,” says White, “at one dress rehearsal that involves all the kids, the 31 professional dancers, and the 36 musicians from the Victoria Symphony.”
The Nutcracker
December 6-8
$58-90, The Royal Theatre
dancevictoria.com