Calgary arts scene ships popular hits east
Theatre lovers in nation’s capital flock to productions
What do you get when you send shows from Calgary, a 2012 cultural capital, to the national capital? Sellouts. That’s the word from Ottawa, where Theatre Calgary’s sumptuous co-production (along with the National Arts Centre) of Pride and Prejudice opened in Ottawa a couple of weeks back.
The reviews were positive (“Directed by Dennis Garnhum and featuring a large cast, the show moves with elegance, passion and an admirably measured pace,” said Patrick Langston in the Ottawa Citizen); theatre bigwigs from places like Stratford and Toronto made the trek to see the show, and most tellingly, the National Arts Centre was forced to add four additional performances to accommodate demand for tickets.
“I didn’t realize just how beloved Jane Austen is, but I think if the production wasn’t really special, the show wouldn’t take off as it did,” National Arts Centre English-language artistic director Jillian Keiley said in an email. “However, the show is special and people are really moved by it.
Meanwhile, Alberta Ballet’s holiday production of The Nutcracker opened Thursday night in the National Arts Centre’s largest theatre space, prior to it playing at the Jubilee auditoriums in Calgary and Edmonton later this month (Dec. 14-16 in Edmonton).
For Alberta Ballet artistic director Jean Grand-Maître, the National Arts Centre is turning into a bit of a home away from home: in addition to the Nutcracker, the ballet will be back in 2013 to perform Love Lies Bleeding.
“The NAC has always been the home of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the National (Ballet) and the Grands ballets canadiens,” says GrandeMaître, “and the Alberta Ballet has rarely been invited (apart from Alberta Scene in 2005).
“Now,” he adds, “we’re coming back with Loves Lies Bleeding this year, so that’s two visits in the same season, which is extraordinary.”
What is it about The Nutcracker that brings audiences back year after year?
“The story is about a girl, which is rare,” Grand-Maître says.
“Something about the hero’s journey for this little girl, in that she faces her fears. And because it’s a beautiful fairy tale, and the music is just extraordinary.”
However, it turns out The Nutcracker resonates for personal reasons with GrandMaître.
“I’ve been doing Nutcracker since I was a dancer in school and I’ve done it every year (ever since), because across North America, it’s really the bread and butter (of every professional ballet company).”
And one other thing about doing it at The National Arts Centre? “It’s my hometown here,” Grand-Maître says. “I grew up across the river (in Hull).
“A lot of family members are coming,” he says.
“Aunts and uncles are going to see both Nutcracker and Love Lies Bleeding — (so) yeah, I’m going to be a bit more nervous.
“Family is unforgiving.”