Below is a more official article by the CBC.

Evelyn Hart Retires from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

It’s obvious that the RWB has long been identified with Evelyn but the time has come for a new identity. It’s too bad they are apparently not going to present a farewell performance for Evelyn.

Two additional articles, one in The Globe and Mail:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050330/HART30/TPEntertainment/?query=ballet

One by Pat St. Germain in the Winnipeg Sun:

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/WinnipegSun/Spotlight/2005/03/30/976368-sun.html

The last time I saw Evelyn Hart was at a 1997 ‘Dancers for Life’ performance dancing with longtime partner Rex Harrington in the Mozart pas de deux. The silent acting and feeling of movement was still there but her technical skills had eroded considerably. I wonder if she is leaving because the Royal Winnipeg Ballet no longer wants her or does Miss Hart still believe she is a dancer worthy of ‘principal’ roles?

It is a shame that someone associated with a company for four decades is departing with such animosity. Evelyn Hart, who came into this world as a twin tipping the scales at a mere 4 pounds and 12 ounces, turned 49 on April 4th at 9:12 a.m. I would think the time has come to accept a lesser role. The only opportunities for her in Toronto will be a small venue like the Premiere Dance Theatre and dancing for the TSO for an evening. I would love it if she signed on with the National Ballet of Canada as ballet mistress/character actress. Think of the bottomless wealth of knowledge this former ‘prima ballerina’ could impart upon young and OLD dancers!

Come on you Winnipeggers! Give us the real scoop on what’s going on with Evelyn Hart and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet!

<small>[ 06 April 2005, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>

This whole discussion about a 49 year old dancer still wanting to dance leading roles evokes memories of a certain silent screen actress.

The CBC aired a very touching story on the retirement of Evelyn Hart from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet during their news broadcast. It covered her final performance at RWB and her move to Toronto. She obviously has been infected with the performance bug BAD. And, well, who could blame her? It’s the only life she has known. It is kind of sad to hear that she is not financially well off. We learn that Miss Hart was just being paid a middle class salary with RWB what with it being a small company. At least they afforded her the opportunity to dance around the world and supplement her income.

A 49 year old 49 Evelyn Hart cannot compete with the Evelyn Hart of her 20s and 30s. I hope she can find fulfillment as a character artist/coach with the National Ballet of Canada. Only my most humble opinion but I believe that would be the best place for her. With the National expanding its roster with the move to the Four Seasons Centre, they will no doubt be looking for another coach. It’s time for Evelyn Hart to reinvent herself and what better way than inspiring and tutoring the Evelyn Harts of tomorrow?

Many dancers find it difficult to make the transition from performance. In the UK, there are schemes to assist with this, both financially for retraining and also counselling.

A classic example was Martha Graham, who found it extremely difficult to let go of performance, even with her choreography and teaching.

Like you, Michael, I hope that Evelyn Hart can find another outlet for her knowledge an experience.

CindyMarie Small, a Saskatchewan native, talks to the Regina Leader-Post during the RWB's tour to Saskatchewan with Val Caniparoli's "A Cinderella Story:"

http://www.canada.com/regina/aroundtown ... db127d3fbc

Michael Crabb writes about Evelyn Hart’s departure from Royal Winnipeg Ballet in the Summer edition of Dance International magazine (you’ll have to buy it on the newsstand to read the article).



The chances of a farewell night for Miss Hart are about the same as the NBoC giving Kimberly Glasco a farewell ballet! Funny how Michael Crabb never wrote about a last dance for Miss Glasco! She is just as deserving. Funny how much bitterness there can be in ballet.