National Arts Centre announces 2002-2003 Dance season
April 22, 2002 -
OTTAWA -- Cathy Levy, Producer of Dance Programming at the
National Arts Centre, today released details of an exciting season of
dance for 2002-2003. The line-up includes artists from Japan, Brazil,
South Africa, Australia, Belgium, Argentina, France, the United
States, and Canada. There are 35 performances of 17 separate dance
events from 16 different companies (presented in four distinct
series). The National Arts Centre's commitment to artistic
innovation has resulted in four NAC co-productions this season as
well as two world premieres, two North American premieres, five
Canadian premieres, and five Ottawa premieres.
Canril Corporation Ballet Series
The renowned National Arts Centre Orchestra will be featured at
all performances in the Canril Corporation Ballet Series. The
National Arts Centre is delighted to welcome Canril Corporation for
the second year of their multi-year sponsorship agreement. In honour
of their generous support and profound commitment to the performing
arts, the classical ballet series was re-named the Canril Ballet
Series in 2001. Headquartered in Canada's Capital, Canril
Corporation is a leading commercial property developer. For more than
15 years, Canril has proven its ability to analyze and act on
development opportunities of all sizes and levels of complexity.
Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet inaugurates this series with a
sparkling new production of The Sleeping Beauty
The National Ballet of Canada performs Swan Lake, an
indelible masterpiece of the classical ballet repertoire
Miami City Ballet makes their Canadian premiere in A Balanchine
Celebration, a triple-bill consisting of The Four
Temperaments, Rubies, and Slaughter on Tenth
Avenue, all created by legendary choreographer George
Balanchine
Series A, an invitation to the dance
Series A is passionate, inventive, and always a supremely
entertaining spectacle.
Japan's Sankai Juku opens the series in a long-awaited return
to the National Arts Centre with the Canadian premiere of the
hypnotic and utterly entrancing Hibiki
Grupo Corpo Brazilian Dance Theater returns to the NAC after their
tremendous success two seasons ago, performing 21 and the
Canadian premiere of O Corpo
Argentina's Ballet Contemporaneo del Teatro San Martin
celebrates Easter with the Canadian premiere of El Mesias, a
gorgeous contemporary version of 'Messiah' using
Handel's superb music
Rounding out the season, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de
Montréal present a dramatic new homage to one of the
world's most exciting choreographers, In the Manner of Ohad
Naharin
Series B, exhilarating contemporary expression
Series B, generously sponsored by The New RO Cable 6, offers
breathtaking choreography, invigorating artistry, and a brilliantly
original theatrical experience. Due to audience demand, in 2002-2003,
the series has been expanded from five events to six.
Montreal-based Le Carré des Lombes, directed by virtuoso
choreographer Danièle Desnoyers, presents the world premiere
of Bataille, an intriguing National Arts Centre co-production
with innovative sound design by Nancy Tobin
France's Ballet Preljocaj uses music as a crucial element in
their double-bill of The Rite of Spring, performed to Igor
Stravinsky's modern masterpiece, and Helikopter, using as
its inspiration Karlheinz Stockhausen's helicopter
engine-and-violin concerto, the 'Helikopter Quartet'
Appearing for two nights in Southam Hall, La La La Human Steps
presents the North American premiere of a National Arts Centre
co-production, a new work of dance pyrotechnics by explosive and
influential choreographer Édouard Lock
Kim Itoh + The Glorious Future, the 'bad boys of Butoh'
journey to Ottawa from Japan to present their trademark theatrical,
cheeky, sarcastic, and ferociously independent dance theatre
Australia's Lucy Guerin Company presents The Ends of
Things and Melt, both of which speak her idiosyncratic
language of intensely physical movement
Les Ballets C. de la B., from Belgium, perform in Foi, an
examination in the nature of faith and belief from dazzling young
choreographer-dancer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
Series C, a bold new body aesthetic
Audacious, innovative, and exploratory, Series C offers an
immediate and intimate connection with dance in the NAC Studio, the
most intimate mainstage performance space. Because of the success of
Series C last season, in 2002-2003, each event has been increased
from two nights to three.
Award-winning Soweto-born dancer-choreographer Vincent Sekwati
Mantsoe performs a spellbinding triple-bill inspired by his South
African ancestry and tradition
Toronto-based Sarah Chase Dance Stories presents a
thought-provoking gallery of contemporary portraits in dance,
revealing memories, family histories, and private symbols
Ottawa-based 10 Gates Dancing presents dancer-choreographer Tedd
Robinson in Reclusive Conclusions and other duets, three
innovative and provocative duets performed by Mr. Robinson with
internationally acclaimed guest artists
Special Presentation: The Nutcracker
Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal bring their
magical version of that perennial holiday favourite, The
Nutcracker. Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the
Nutcracker-turned-Prince -- and dozens of Ottawa's most
beguilingly talented children -- perform the enchanting and whimsical
fantasy that remains as timeless and spellbinding as ever.
Tchaikovsky's memorable music, brilliant choreography,
magnificent sets, and 234 opulent costumes set off this elegantly
glittering jewel -- a classic holiday treat for the whole family!
Subscription packages are on sale now. Dance subscribers save up
to 20% on regular ticket prices when choosing two series and 15% on
regular ticket prices when choosing one series. Full-time students
save 50% when purchasing subscriptions. Subscribers also save 10% on
extra tickets for dance performances throughout the year, as well as
10% on regular price tickets to concerts with the NAC Orchestra, and
English Theatre or French Theatre productions. Subscription
information is available at the NAC Subscription Office, (613)
947-7000, x 620 Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 or online:
www.nac-cna.ca/subscribe.
NAC 2002-2003 Dance facts at a glance
This is Cathy Levy's first full season as Producer of dance
programming
The NAC is consistently seen by dance artists as one of the finest
places in the world to perform
The NAC Dance season is one of the leading dance seasons in North
America
There are a total of 35 performances of 17 separate dance events:
something for everyone, aficionado or novice, regardless of taste in
dance. The NAC season is a very important cross-section of the finest
classical and contemporary dance, something to move, excite,
transport audiences
NAC Dance offers the best in Canadian and international dance: 16
companies from 8 countries (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil,
France, Japan, South Africa, United States) as well as from 4 cities
in Canada: Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg
Pursuing the NAC's strategic goal of artistic expansion and
innovation, the 2002-2003 Dance season offers 2 world premieres, 2
North American premieres, 5 Canadian premieres, and 5 Ottawa
premieres:
2 world premieres: Bataille by Le Carré des Lombes,
Reclusive Conclusions and other duets by 10 Gates Dancing
2 North American premieres: new work by La La La Human Steps,
Portraits/Mapping by Sarah Chase Dance Stories
5 Canadian premieres: Miami City Ballet; El Mesias by
Ballet Contemporaneo del Teatro San Martin; Hibiki by Sankai
Juku; O Corpo by Grupo Corpo Brazilian Dance Theatre; Lucy
Guerin Company
5 Ottawa premieres: new production of Sleeping Beauty by
the Royal Winnipeg Ballet; Helikopter and Le sacre du
Printemps by Compagnie Preljocaj; Kim Itoh + The Glorious Future;
Foi by Les Ballets C. de la B.; Vincent Sekwati Mantsoe
Pursuing the NAC's strategic goal of emphasizing the National
Arts Centre's national role, there are 4 'NAC
co-productions, with La La La Human Steps, Le Carré des
Lombes, Sarah Chase Dance Stories, and 10 Gates Dancing. It is very
important for the NAC to maintain and strengthen ties to Canadian
dance artists and to partner with other presenters in coordinating
tours
Series C has been expanded (from two nights per production to
three) due to overwhelming sold-out successes in 2001-2002
The NAC is delighted to welcome returning sponsors Canril
Corporation (Canril Ballet Series) and New RO TV (Series B)
NAC Dance features the renowned National Arts Centre Orchestra for
each presentation in the Canril Ballet Series
Pursuing the NAC's strategic goal of commitment to youth and
education, NAC Dance is maintaining the tradition of presenting
special student matinees. There are many more expansive activities in
the works, to be announced at a later date
