Sugar-spun fairy tale enchanting as ever

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This article was published 22/12/2023 (1000 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet brought joy to the world Thursday night, as it opened its sparkling new holiday production of Nutcracker.

The beloved story ballet choreographed by Galina Yordanova and Nina Menon seems to grow more lustrous with each passing year. Its latest staging proves no exception, with the 124-minute (including intermission) show also serving to showcase the fine talent of this 84-year-old company.

In a nutshell, the full-length narrative work set in Winnipeg on Christmas Eve 1913 tells the tale of 12-year-old Clara, who enters a fantastical world in which her carved nutcracker doll transforms into a dashing prince, while she becomes the fairy-tale ballerina of her dreams.

Any production rests on strong leads; in this case, principal dancer Elizabeth Lamont in her role reprisal of Clara (all leads alternating) is an ethereal prima ballerina, offering many breathtaking moments, including her glorious grand pas de deux with soloist Michel Lavoie’s Nutcracker Prince.

Lamont’s suspended, lyrical grace, as light as a snowflake, is grounded in rock-steady pointe work, no doubt inspiring many of opening night’s youngest audience members to follow in her satin ballet slippers.

Lavoie infuses his portrayal with regal bearing, with his variation during the Grand Pas propelled by gazelle-like leaps with pillow-soft landings.

One of the most stunning scenes in the RWB repertoire is Act I Snow Pas de Deux. Performed against set designer Brian Perchaluk’s painted backdrop of snow-tipped pines effectively lit by Michael J. Whitfield, Lavoie proves an able partner, effortlessly lifting Lamont high over his head, defying gravity and stirring the soul.

Another strong performance belongs to corps de ballet member Joshua Hidson’s Drosselmeier. As Clara’s godfather, her drives the plot forward while showing off his versatility as he slips into several of Act II’s series of multicultural dances during the ballet’s divertissement.

The RWB has wisely tweaked Nutcracker throughout the years since its local première on Dec. 2, 1999. This year features the welcome return of Winnipeg’s high-flying Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, as well as the company debut of Métis-based Asham Stompers, including Red River fiddler Brendan Chartrand.

Having the two groups appear successively in Act II — in prior years we only typically witnessed one guest ensemble — provides a nice balance (despite the jolt of returning to a live orchestral score); both received loud whoops and cheers from the enthralled audience.

Other highlights include a sinewy pas de deux Arabian, with second soloist Katie Bonnell and soloist Stephan Azulay wrapping their limbs around each other with impeccable, cobra-like control and the lovely, lilting Waltz of the Flowers.

The Snowflakes are in particularly fine form during the Magical Forest scene, highlighted by tightly synchronized ensemble work. Its Act I counterpart, The Battle, in which Clara’s wooden nutcracker doll transforms into the prince, bristles with energy, fuelled by RWB School recreational division students appearing as the Mouse King’s army of mice (among other roles).

Other cherished characters are back, including soloist Jaimi Deleau’s ever-radiant reprisal of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her deliciously coquettish Aunt Josephine — an actress from Montreal — who flirts and flounces with strapping military fiancé Edouard (soloist Peter Lancksweerdt) during Act I’s ebullient Christmas party scene.

The generically monikered Bear, a.k.a. Filbert (corps de ballet member Kyra Soo), never fails to inspires gales of giggles while on the prowl for figgy pudding. Her counterpart Hazel (apprentice Rafe Perry) carefully shepherds 12 cuddly cubs as Clara and the Prince are whisked to the Kingdom, drawing plenty of oohs and ahs.

As Young Clara, the RWB School professional division’s Nya Chapman is a diamond in the rough; her confident portrayal includes keen acting skills that bring her character to life with charming innocence. Fellow student Nathaniel Williams as Drosselmeier’s grandnephew Julien is another up-and-comer; his exquisitely tender duet with Chapman is the beating heart of the ballet. Deklyn Lemoine also creates a mischievous Dieter, Clara’s younger brother who leaps out of her armoire brandishing a toy sword.

The production also features Tchaikovsky’s luscious score performed by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, artfully led by RWB principal conductor Julian Pellicano throughout, and imaginative costumes created by Paul Daigle.

To everything there is a season; however, Nutcracker, now in its 24th year, is one of those ballets that never seems to grow old. It’s a traditional festive treat that captures the wonder of this magical time of year while inspiring a few dreams of its own.

holly.harris@shaw.ca