A whole new Anne
Toronto-based Ballet Jorgen will launch ‘Anne of Green Gables: The Ballet’ in September
Hannah Mae Cruddas of Dartmouth, N.S., said being cast as Anne Shirley is a dream come true.
However, this will be an Anne like no one has ever seen before.
Toronto-based Ballet Jorgen du Canada will launch its new production, “Anne of Green Gables: The Ballet’’, in Halifax on Sept. 28.
“I was over the moon,’’ the 25-year-old ballet dancer told The Guardian in a telephone interview when asked what her reaction was to getting the iconic role.
“I remember getting masses of butterflies in my stomach as soon as I heard . . . I was completely overjoyed.’’
“Anne of Green Gables: The Ballet’’ will embark on a twoyear Canadian tour after its Halifax debut that will bring it to Summerside in 2020 and to Charlottetown in 2021, pending an agreement on dates with the Confederation Centre of the Arts.
Cruddas said she is familiar with P.E.I., having vacationed on the Island with her family every summer.
“I remember my very first year going. I was nine, and it was my ninth birthday. I begged (my parents) to go to the show to watch (“Anne of Green Gables-The Musical’’). My parents took me to the musical and (after) I got a porcelain Anne doll, and I still have her to this very day. It was a magical experience, that’s for sure.’’
Cruddas says her childhood was magical and outdoorsy, much like Anne Shirley’s was when she came to Green Gables, an element she said she will bring to the stage with her.
Needless to say, Cruddas, who has been dancing with Ballet Jorgen for eight years, has read the Anne books, all eight of them.
“I was 10 when I read the actual first book and I just couldn’t put it down.’’
Cruddas even has red hair to boot, but Bengt Jorgen, artistic director of “Anne of Green Gables: The Ballet’’ said that has nothing to do why she got the part.
“She got the part because she really represents everything you think about when you read the book,’’ Jorgen said. “Her personality comes through on the dancing. She embodies the character. It’s the role that was meant for her.’’
Jorgen said the plan is to take the ballet show to Charlottetown in the winter of 2021, so it doesn’t conflict with the musical at the Confederation Centre.
Ballet Jorgen has offices across Canada, including Halifax. The artistic director said it only tells Canadian stories, and this time around it was looking to tell an original Canadian story.
“There is no more original Canadian story than ‘Anne of Green Gables’. It really was an obvious choice. It’s an Atlantic Canadian story, a P.E.I. story.’’
Talks were held with the Heirs of Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of the Anne books, for three years before the story was finally turned into a ballet.
Jorgen said the one hour, 45-minute ballet will feature all of the classical songs from the musical that Islanders are used to, but there won’t be any speaking parts.
“There won’t be any singing. It will all be orchestrated. It will be an extended orchestration of the musical.’’
Cruddas’ first performance will be in front of family and friends in Halifax on Sept. 28.
As to whether she feels any extra pressure taking on the iconic Anne roll, Jorgen answers for her.
“I think she was born to dance ‘Anne of Green Gables’,’’ he said.