Snow White

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet

2024-04-11 20:00 2024-04-13 23:59 60 Canada/Eastern 🎟 NAC: Snow White

https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/33695

In-person event

Featuring the National Arts Centre Orchestra.  A modern take on the story of Snow White, replete with all well-known characters — the monks, the wicked stepmother, the witch, and of course the prince — with a decidedly more gripping, psychological, creative approach.    From this classic fairy tale inspired by the Brothers’ Grimm, French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj has crafted a visually stunning contemporary ballet. With its aerial scenes,...

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Southam Hall,1 Elgin Street,Ottawa,Canada
April 11 - 13, 2024

≈ 1 hour and 46 minutes · No intermission

Our programs have gone digital.

Scan the QR code at the venue's entrance to read the program notes before the show begins.

Last updated: April 11, 2024

A Note From the Executive Producer, NAC Dance

Good evening,

I would like to invite you to dive into artistic genius Angelin Preljocaj's new spin on the world of Snow White. This unique piece is being performed by Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB), who tell the classic tale with passion and grace.

Angelin Preljocaj is an icon of contemporary dance, known for his subtly intellectual yet sensual style. Here, he offers a captivating vision of this timeless tale from the Brothers Grimm. His gifted, nuanced storytelling will whisk theatregoers away to a world where every movement is a tale of its own. RWB’s performers bring the characters to life against a spectacular backdrop, apparelled in lavish costumes from Jean Paul Gauthier, the enfant terrible of French fashion. Put it all together, and you’ve got the recipe for one enchanting evening.

It was the dream of André Lewis, RWB’s artistic director, to add this piece to the company’s repertoire. How lucky we are that his dream has come true—it is our great delight that the ballet will be gracing the stage of the National Arts Centre.

We are thrilled to once again welcome Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Bravo to the whole team!

Enjoy,

A Note From the Artistic Director, RWB

Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet is thrilled to present Snow White, a ballet choreographed by the renowned French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj. This ballet has been a dream of mine to present in Canada for many years, and it has finally come true! Snow White premiered in Winnipeg in September 2023 and received rave reviews from both audiences and critics for its dark and edgy storytelling.

This contemporary adaptation of Snow White is set to the beautiful music of Gustav Mahler's symphonies and is accompanied by electro-acoustic sounds. The iconic fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier created the stunning costumes, while the spectacular sets were designed by Thierry Leproust, and the dark and moody lighting by Scott Henderson, based on Patrick Riou's original design. Preljocaj created a magnificent show that engages the audience with aerial scenes, mature narrative, and edgy costumes. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet showcases energy, athleticism, and theatricality while taking bold steps to blend dance, design, and art to reawaken this age-old tale's themes of beauty and envy. It is a performance that will spark conversation and leave a lasting impression.

Choreographer's Note

Snow White

Snow White is a great romantic, contemporary ballet, based on the Grimm brothers’ version of the fairy tale.

I had created some very abstract pieces with Empty Moves and Eldorado (Sonntags Abschied) and, as often happens, I wanted to do something completely different, write something very concrete and offer something magical and enchanted. Like everyone else, I love stories.

Snow White is a narrative ballet with its own dramatic content. The places are represented by Thierry Leproust’s sets. The dancers play their parts in costumes by Jean Paul Gaultier. It’s not the myth or the legend of Snow White: it is Snow White herself. It is really her story.

It is not easy to tell a story through dance and that is what is so fascinating. How do you get the story across? In L’Anoure, I chose to let the audience hear Pascal Quignard’s text on the soundtrack. But with Snow White, I’m using an argument that everyone knows, which allows me to concentrate on what is being said by the bodies, the energies, and the space and what the characters feel and experience in order to show how the bodies are transcended. And Snow White contains objects that are wonderful for a choreographer’s imagination.

I have followed the version by the Grimm brothers, with just a few personal variations based on my own analysis of the symbols in the tale. Bruno Bettelheim describes Snow White as an Oedipus in reverse. The wicked stepmother is without a doubt the central character in the tale. She is the one who I examine through her narcissistic determination not to give up on seduction and her role as a woman, even if it means sacrificing her stepdaughter.

This ballet is particularly important to me – and I insist on the word “ballet” as it brings together the dancers of the company. They will be dancing to Mahler’s symphonies, whose magnificent excesses are of a romantic nature. Historically, Grimms tales are too, even though their refined style suggest a more contemporary form. Trying to move people emotionally is a delicate undertaking. Mahler’s music has to be used with enormous care, but it is a risk I am keen to take.

About Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet

The Royal Winnipeg enriches the human experience by teaching, creating and performing outstanding dance. Founded in 1939 by Gweneth Lloyd and Betty Farrally, 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. The RWB received its ‘Royal’ designation from Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, the first Royal Charter granted during her reign.

With the leadership of Artistic Director André Lewis, C.M., O.M., M.S.M., versatility, technical excellence, and a captivating style have become the trademarks of the RWB, qualities that have garnered both critical and audience acclaim. The RWB’s superlative standards keep the Company in demand across North America and beyond. In addition to the Company, the RWB is home to the RWB School, consisting of both the Professional Division, our internationally renowned dance education and training centre for aspiring professional dancers and dance teachers, and the Recreational Division, which is one of Winnipeg's largest dance schools for all ages, levels, and interests.

Casting

Subject to Change

Snow White
Taisi Tollasepp (11,13) / Amanda Solheim (12)

The Prince
Logan Savard (11,13) / Stephan Azulay (12)

The Queen
Jaimi Deleau (11,13) / Maggie Weatherdon (12)

The Queen’s Reflection
Maggie Weatherdon (11,13) / Jaimi Deleau (12)

The Mother
Katie Bonnell

Young Snow White
Eva Chan (11, 12, 13)

The Cats-Gargoiles
Alanna McAdie (11,13) / Yayoi Ban (12)
Julianna Generoux (11,13) / Katie Simpson (12)

The Cats-Gargoiles Reflections
Yayoi Ban (11,13) / Alanna McAdie (12)
Katie Simpson (11,13) Julianna Generoux (12)

The Hunters
Joshua Hidson
Marco Lo Presti
Cleighden Butler

The 7 Monks
Myles Mackesy, Felix Jinga, Peter Lancksweerdt, Michel Lavoie, Tymin Keown, Rafe Perry, Liam Saito

The Suitors
Prince + Stephan Azulay (11,13) / Logan Savard (12)
Marco Lo Presti

The Lovers
Elizabeth Lamont, Katie Bonnell, Amanda Solheim (11,13)/ Emilie Lewis (12), Brooke Thomas
Marco Lo Presti, Joshua Hidson, Felix Jinga, Cleighden Butler

The King
Tymin Keown (in Ball) / Joshua Hidson (in Wedding)

The Guards
Cleighden Butler, Rafe Perry

Deer
Alanna McAdie (11, 13) / Katie Bonnell (12)

The Courtisans
Alanna McAdie, Amanda Solheim (11,13)/ Taisi Tollasepp (12), Elizabeth Lamont, Katie Simpson, Katie Bonnell, Julianna Generoux, Maggie Weatherdon (11,13)/ Jaimi Deleau (12), Yayoi Ban, Brooke Thomas, Emilie Lewis Myles Mackesy, Peter Lancksweerdt, Michel Lavoie, Rafe Perry, Liam Saito, Joshua Hidson, Cleighden Butler, Felix Jinga, Marco Lo Presti, Stephan Azulay (11,13) / Logan Savard (12)

Sets and costumes supplied by Staatsballet Berlin.

Artists

  • rwb-logo-2020
    Featuring Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet
  • Featuring NAC Orchestra
  • portrait-angelin-preljocaj-m3-credit-julien-bengel
    Choreography Angelin Preljocaj
  • photo-of-gustav-mahler-by-moritz-nayhr-01-removebg-preview
    Music Gustav Mahler
  • portrait-thierry-leproust-m11-470x470
    Set design Thierry Leproust
  • plp-jean-paul-gaultier-push
    Costumes Jean Paul Gaultier
  • Conductor Julian Pellicano

Credits

ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET

Founders
Gweneth Lloyd & Betty Farrally 

Artistic Director Emeritus 
Arnold Spohr, C.C., O.M. 

Founding Director, School Recreational Division 
Jean Mackenzie 

Founding Director, School Professional Division  
David Moroni, C.M., O.M., D.Litt, (h.c.) 

Artistic Director
André Lewis, C.M., O.M., M.S.M. 

Executive Director 
Elena Tupyseva 

Artists
Elizabeth Lamont, Alanna Mcadie 

Stephan Azulay, Yayoi Ban 
Jaimi Deleau, Peter Lancksweerdt, Michel Lavoie

Katie Bonnell, Marco Lo Presti 
Liam Saito, Katie Simpson 

Jenna Burns, Cleighden Butler 
Julianna Generoux, Joshua Hidson 
Tymin Keown, Emilie Lewis, Parker Long 
Logan Savard, Amanda Solheim, Kyra Soo
Brooke Thomas, Taisi Tollasepp, Maggie Weatherdon 

Felix Jinga, Myles Mackesy 
Rafe Perry 

Associate Artistic Director 
Tara Birtwhistle 

School Director 
Stéphane Léonard 

Music Director & Principal Conductor 
Julian Pellicano 

Ballet Masters 
Caroline Gruber, Jaime Vargas 

Principal, Recreational Division  
Nicole Kepp 

Principal, Professional Division  
Suzanne André 

Director, Anna McCowan-Johnson Aspirant Program 
Vanessa Léonard 

Director, Teacher Training Program  
Johanne Gingras 

Stage Manager 
* Candace Jacobson

Stage Manager 
Ingrid Kottke

Assistant Stage Manager 
Paige Lewis 

* On leave

Production Team, Royal Winnipeg Ballet

Company Manager
Ryan Bjornson

Conductor
Julian Pellicano

Physiotherapist
Lexie Fast

Head Audio
Kevin Davis 

Head Flyman 
Doug Kiddell

Lighting
Scott Henderson and Martin Lecarme, based on designs by Patrick Riou assisted by Cécile Giovansili and Sébastien Dué

Lighting Assistant
Julia Armstrong

Head Wardrobe
Diana Miller

Head Carpenter
George Addis

Carpenter
Pierre Soular

Production Manager
Jef Ward

NAC Orchestra

First Violins
Yosuke Kawasaki (concertmaster) 
**Jessica Linnebach (associate concertmaster) 
Noémi Racine Gaudreault (assistant concertmaster) 
Marjolaine Lambert 
Emily Westell 
Manuela Milani 
Carissa Klopoushak 
*Erica Miller 
*Oleg Chelpanov 
*Andréa Armijo Fortin 
*Renée London 

Second Violins
Emily Kruspe (acting principal) 
Frédéric Moisan (acting assistant principal) 
Jeremy Mastrangelo
Leah Roseman 
Edvard Skerjanc 
Winston Webber 
Zhengdong Liang 
Mark Friedman 
Karoly Sziladi 
*Martine Dubé 

Viola
Jethro Marks (principal)
David Marks (associate principal)
David Goldblatt (assistant principal)
David Thies-Thompson
Tovin Allers
Paul Casey

Cello
Rachel Mercer (principal)
Julia MacLaine (assistant principal)
Timothy McCoy
Marc-André Riberdy
Leah Wyber
Karen Kang*

Double Bass
Max Cardilli (assistant principal)
Vincent Gendron
**Marjolaine Fournier
*Paul Mach 
*Doug Ohashi

Flute
Joanna G'froerer (prinicpal)
Stephanie Morin
*Kaili Maimets 

Oboe
Charles Hamann (principal)
Anna Hendrickson*
Anna Petersen

English Horn
Anna Petersen
*Anna Hendrickson  

Clarinet
Kimball Sykes (principal)
Sean Rice
Shauna Barker*

Bassoon
Darren Hicks (prinicpal)
Vincent Parizeau
*Alex Eastley 

Horn
*Brian Mangrum (guest principal) 
**Julie Fauteux (associate principal) 
Lawrence Vine 
Lauren Anker 
Louis-Pierre Bergeron 
*Olivier Brisson

Trumpet
Karen Donnelly (principal)
Steven van Gulik
*Amy Horvey 

Trombone
Steve Dyer* (guest principal)
Colin Traquair

Bass Trombone
Zachary Bond 

Tuba
Chris Lee (principal)

Timpani
*Lauren Floyd (guest principal)  

Percussion
Jonathan Wade
*Kris Maddigan 
*Dan Morphy 

Harp
Angela Schwarzkopf* (guest principal)

Principal Librarian
Nancy Elbeck 

Assistant Librarian 
Corey Rempel 

Personnel Manager
Meiko Lydall 

Assistant Personnel Manager
Laurie Shannon 


*Additional musicians
**On leave

Production Team, Southam Hall

Head Carpenter
James Reynolds

Head Electrician
Shane Learmonth 

Assistant Electrician
Fred Malpass 

Property Master 
Timothy Shannon 

Head Sound Engineer 
Dan Holmes 

Assistant Sound Engineer
Thomas Stubinski 

Head Flyman
Ross Brayne 

Projectionists, Wardrobe Mistresses, Masters and Attendants are members of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 471.

NAC Dance Team

Executive Producer  
Caroline Ohrt 

Senior Producer  
Tina Legari 

Special Projects Coordinator and Assistant to the Executive Producer  
Mireille Nicholas 

Company Manager  
Sophie Anka 

Education Associate and Teaching Artist  
Siôned Watkins 

Technical Director  
Brian Britton 

Communications Strategist  
Alexandra Campeau 

Marketing Strategist  
Marie-Chantale Labbé-Jacques