Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) is performing at the National Arts Centre (NAC) for the first time after a 19-month hiatus due to COVID-19. The approximately two-hour Nutcracker show has sold out all five performances at the NAC’s Southam Hall from Dec. 3 to 5.
The Nutcracker, a Christmas ballet, tells the story of a young girl named Clara who befriends a nutcracker toy. The nutcracker then comes alive on Christmas Eve to battle an evil mouse king. The RWB’s version is set in 1913 in a snowy and prosperous Winnipeg just prior to the First World War.
Before COVID-19, the ballet would welcome a large group of young dancers to perform the Nutcracker alongside the ballet’s professional cast. This year, company dancers have filled most of those roles and only three children have been selected to play roles in the performance.
“I think dreams really do come true… ever since I was young, I wanted to be in the Nutcracker,” dancer Victoria Noisette said.
Noisette is a 12-year-old from the Greater Ottawa area who was selected to play the role of Clara.
NAC Dance’s communications strategist Livia Belcea said the return of the Nutcracker to the NAC stage is a welcome sight.
“The NAC is quite happy to have it back on stage because it is such a beloved dance piece and a great opportunity for kids to discover ballet,” Belcea said.
The performance also marks an important milestone, according to Belcea.
“The Nutcracker is the first performance for NAC Dance that we have been able to open up to full capacity,” she said. “We want to provide a safe experience for both patrons and artists as we’re moving forward in welcoming back people to live performing arts.”
The dancers are not required to social distance and wear masks while performing.
André Lewis, artistic director and CEO of the RWB, said the show, music and Canada-based version of the story remain the same despite the pandemic.
“The Nutcracker is a beautiful show,” Lewis said. “This year especially we made sure that the production itself doesn’t lose any of its value due to restrictions.”
[Photo by Spencer Colby/The Charlatan]
“I used to train at a studio on Rideau Street when I was 10 years old. This city is my home which is why this performance is so important to me,” he said.
Audience members echoed Lewis’ sentiments. Ballet season ticket holder Carolyn Jutras said she got emotional when the ballet started at Friday evening’s performance.
“I haven’t been [to the NAC] in two years. I am happy to get back and see the performance in person,” Jutras said. “It was very relaxing to watch. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I was watching.”
Lewis said he hopes the RWB will be able to continue performing the Nutcracker at the NAC for years to come.
“The NAC is the most beautiful arts house to perform in out of all the houses in Canada,” Lewis said. “The fact that this is the first time we’re back makes it so much more special and I am so thankful.”
Featured image by Spencer Colby.
