Shakespeare’s genius is in his choice of words and witty phrasing but Alberta Ballet’s latest production shows the Bard’s work transcends dialogue.
From March 13-16 at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, dancers will convey the slapstick comedy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream through a dreamy show of feuding forest fairies, gods and mortals and a mischievous elf named Puck.
“It possesses all the qualities you search for in an exciting new production. It has humour, wit, poetry, great beauty and wonderful dancing all round including for the soloists, the principals, the children and all the corps dancers,” said Alberta Ballet artistic director Jean Grand-Maître.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream features company dancers as well as 30 of its ballet students from Edmonton and Calgary in a version of the classic first staged 35 years ago. Bruce Wells, a renowned American choreographer with family ties to Alberta, created the version that simplifies the story and makes it understandable for audiences of all ages. It’s only 90 minutes long, including a 20-minute intermission, so it’s doable for children.
Tickets for the show are available through www.albertaballet.com. The production moves to Edmonton March 21-23.