November 20, 2003 -

OTTAWA -- Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) performs the ever-popular festive favourite Nutcracker in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre December 3 to 7, 2003. The traditional Christmas version of this magical ballet is a whimsical fantasy that remains as timeless and spellbinding as ever - it's the perfect holiday treat for the whole family! All performances feature the renowned National Arts Centre Orchestra under the baton of RWB Music Director and Conductor Earl Stafford.

An instant holiday classic! Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's The Nutcracker and The Mouse King, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's 1999 version of Nutcracker tells the story of a young girl's Christmas fantasy. This Nutcracker features a life-size bear, dancing mice, a sugar plum fairy, and a magically growing Christmas tree, all wrapped in a turn-of-the-century Canadian setting. Children also play a vital role in this Nutcracker, performing as mice, mounted police, and, of course, as children. With choreography by Nina Menon and Galina Yordanova, scenery by Brian Perchaluk, 175 original costumes by Paul Daigle, and Tchaikovsky's timeless music, Nutcracker is a visual and musical spectacle, a holiday confection which preserves the best of the Russian tradition and spices it up with uniquely Canadian ingredients.

STORYTELLING
Before each performance of Nutcracker, children are invited to attend a 20-minute bilingual reading of the classic fairy tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann. The readings by professional storytellers are designed to entertain the youngsters as well as prepare them for the ballet. Readings take place in the main foyer of the NAC at 18:00 and at 12:30 on matinee days.

"…has enough variety of pace, texture and style to offer rewards both for first-time ballet-goers and seasoned dance fans."

Michael Crabb, The National Post

"A million dollar production that respects the ballet's 19th century pedigree and serves it up with characteristic prairie élan...a glittering, sugar-coated production that will challenge and delight dancers and audiences for generations to come."

The Vancouver Sun

"It used to be that only sugarplum fairies danced in your head, but thanks to the RWB's Nutcracker we are entertained by a whole world of fanciful characters."

The Winnipeg Free Press

Versatility, technical excellence and a captivating style are the trademarks of Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, qualities that have garnered both critical and audience acclaim. These qualities keep the RWB in demand as it presents more than 150 performances every season. Founded in 1939, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet holds the double distinction of being Canada's premier ballet company and the longest continuously operating ballet company in North America. In 1953, the company received its royal title, the first granted under the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The RWB has grown and developed under Artistic Directors Arnold Spohr, Henny Jurriens, John Meehan, William Whitener and, since 1996, André Lewis. Lewis has revitalised the company's repertoire with the commissioning of new full-length ballets, such as Dracula and a Canadian-themed Nutcracker, and the RWB now takes its place among the world's internationally renowned companies. Today, the company spends 20 or more weeks a year on tour. The RWB repertoire embraces a wide array of dance styles and includes classical story ballets and an intriguing collection of shorter dances.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet performs Nutcracker in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre on Wednesday, December 3 at 19:00; Thursday, December 4 at 19:00; Friday, December 5 at 19:00; Saturday, December 6 at 13:30 and 19:00; and Sunday, December 7 at 13:30 and 19:00. Tickets are $68, $61, $51, and $41 for adults and $35, $31.50, $26.50, and $21.50 for children under age 12 and students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card). Tickets are available at the NAC Box Office (in person) and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at (613) 755-1111; Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC's web-site at www.nac-cna.ca. Last-minute tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students are $9.50 at the Live Rush Centre in the NAC Foyer after 18:00 on the day of performance only, upon presentation of a valid 'Live Rush' card.

Photos for all dance events can be viewed and downloaded at: www.nac-cna.ca/media/

Information:
Gerald Morris
Marketing and Media Relations,
NAC Dance Department
(613) 947-7000, ext. 249
gmorris@nac-cna.ca

Nutcracker

Setting: Christmas, 1913 in a large Canadian home. It's a prosperous time in a prosperous city whose population has been swollen by new arrivals. The First World War is still half a year away.

Overture
'Tis the night before Christmas and all through Clara's house, everything and everyone is stirring -- even the mice! The people inside are getting ready for the big Christmas party -- cooking and wrapping and dressing and fussing. Outside, neighbourhood boys play hockey on the street while friends and family start to arrive, carrying armloads of presents and anticipating a marvelous event.

ACT I, Scene I, Clara's Bedroom
Twelve-year old Clara is oblivious to all the noise and confusion. She hasn't even put on her party dress. Instead, she's dreaming in front of the mirror in her bedroom, practicing her ballet steps. She wants to be perfect when she dances for her glamorous Aunt Josephine, a singer who has travelled all the way from Montreal on the train. Her audience of favourite toys (a ballerina, a monkey and a bunny) seem to be impressed. Mama interrupts. "Clara! Why aren't you dressed?" she demands. "And where is Dieter?" Clara's younger brother leaps out of a large armoire, brandishing his sword. Grandmother Marguerite finds her way to the bedroom and takes a picture of her adorable grandchildren. Things aren't turning out the way Mama has planned, not even the Christmas tree has been delivered. "But Mr. Drosselmeier promised to bring a tree!" She runs off to check on things downstairs while Grandmother shows the children some favourite photographs of Christmas past. Now big brother Fritz appears -- falling into the bedroom like a dead man. Dieter is so frightened that Grandmother has to console him while Fritz and Clara scamper off to the party.

Scene II, The Christmas Party
Mama, Papa and the butler are looking at the empty space in the big living room where the tree should be. What kind of a Christmas party is this going to be? Among the guests filling the room is Aunt Josephine. Resplendent in furs, she makes a grand entrance with her fiancé, Edouard, dashing in his military uniform. At last! Mr. Drosselmeier carries in a tree from the woods near his wood-carver's cabin. Clara suddenly feels shy when her godfather introduces her to his Grandnephew, Julien. He's so much more handsome than last year. In no time at all, the tree is decorated and Clara has the honour of putting the star on the very top. Suddenly, the first-ever electric Christmas lights illuminate the tree! Mr. Drosselmeier hands out his presents -- all carved by him, all enchanting. Dieter's army of toy soldiers has now been augmented by four Mounted Police and Clara is thrilled by her pop-up book which opens into a miniature garden. During Christmas dinner, Clara slips away and puts tiny figurines into her new book. She imagines a dramatic dance between a princess and a cavalier, who look very much like Aunt Josephine and Edouard. The doorbell rings and the dancers evaporate. A bear scurries in, admires the tree and dances happily with the Christmas toys. Julien arrives and gives Clara a special present, a Nutcracker that he has carved himself. The party breaks up in a flurry of dancing and silliness and romance. "Good night everyone! Merry Christmas!"

Scene III, Bedtime
Clara falls asleep but is soon awakened by the slamming of the armoire door. Looking for the Nutcracker - which is mysteriously missing - to comfort her, Clara runs to the living room, pursued by the rustling sound of mice. The clock strikes midnight.

Scene IV, The Living Room
Moonlight shimmers through the window and the room starts to change into something strange and new. Suddenly before her very eyes, the room and the Christmas tree begin to grow. Clara is attacked by three scurrying mice. Julien saves her in the nick of time and is transformed into a Nutcracker. Dieter's squadron of toy soldiers and Mounted Police are now a living regiment and battle fiercely against the menacing mice with cannons, swords and every ounce of cleverness they can muster. The battle takes a turn for the worse when Fritz is shot by the terrifying Mouse King while attempting to free Dieter. Finally the Nutcracker and Clara defeat the Mouse King and the world changes again.

Scene V, A Magical Forest
The Nutcracker is now a prince and Clara becomes the tall, beautiful ballerina of her dreams. They walk hand in hand into a magical pine forest, dancing under a sky filled with stars and the Northern Lights. Snow begins to fall.

ACT II, Scene 1, The Kingdom
The Prince and Clara travel to his kingdom, where there is one more battle to fight -- this time against flying bats at the castle gate. After the Prince is victorious, the Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes Clara and gives her a magic wand, which to Clara's delight reveals the garden from her beautiful pop-up book. An elaborate ceremony ensues to honour her. Wonderful dances from many different lands are performed for her, reminding her of all the people arriving every day in her country. There are Spanish and Arabian and Chinese and Russian dances and many more delights. In a beautiful pas de deux, the prince has the great honour of dancing with Clara. She simply floats in time to the music. This is even better than the dance she imagined in front of the bedroom mirror. In a grand farewell gesture, all the inhabitants of the magical land gather to bid Clara a happy journey home.

Scene II, Early Morning
When Clara wakes up, she is happy to be in her own bedroom with her mother and her little brother close by. The Nutcracker stands proudly in front of the armoire. Remembering her dream, she's relieved to see her big brother Fritz striding into the room, alive and well, and announcing, "It's snowing!" They bundle up, go outside and watch the snow fluttering down. It was the best Christmas ever!

Jacqui Good