National Ballet of Canada - Autumn 2011

Michael Goldbarth · **Posted:** Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:46 am

Alexander Grant, former AD of the NBoC from 1976 to 1983, has passed away at the age of 86.

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“Among the many things Alexander Grant provided this company was the incredible opportunity of working with the great dance master Sir Frederick Ashton during his tenure. It was a direct contact to the British dance tradition continuing the lineage that our founder Celia Franca brought to the company,” said Karen Kain, Artistic Director. “He was a charming, humourous and sympathetic person and, on a personal note, had an important effect on my career by persuading me to stay with the National Ballet at a significant point in my life.”

Francis Timlin · **Posted:** Mon Oct 03, 2011 1:14 pm

Anna Kisselgoff's obituary of Alexander Grant for the New York Times.

NY Times

Francis Timlin · **Posted:** Thu Oct 06, 2011 12:40 pm

Ismene Brown's tribute to Alexander Grant in The Arts Desk.

The Arts Desk

Michael Goldbarth · **Posted:** Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:25 pm

Casting has been released for the new Romeo & Juliet!

Keira99 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:07 am

Thanks for the casting news, Michael! I’m very excited for the new season.

Michael Goldbarth · **Posted:** Sat Nov 05, 2011 8:33 am

You’re welcome Keira; there hasn’t been much worthy to post for the longest while! Sadly, it is just R & J and then we move on to the Nutcracker before the ballet cranks up again in late February!

Karen Kain reminisces on dancing 4 decades for the NBoC.

Francis Timlin · **Posted:** Fri Nov 11, 2011 1:39 pm

In the Toronto Star, Michael Crabb previews Alexei Ratmansky's new version of "Romeo and Juliet," at the Four Seasons Centre from November 16 through 27, 2011.

Toronto Star

Francis Timlin · **Posted:** Sat Nov 12, 2011 1:29 pm

Jordan Bimm previews the Ratmansky "Romeo and Juliet" for NOW Toronto.

NOW Toronto

Francis Timlin · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 2:06 pm

In the Globe and Mail, Paula Citron previews the Ratmansky "Romeo and Juliet."

Globe and Mail

Melissa Leong interviews Alexei Ratmansky for the National Post.

National Post

Michael Goldbarth · **Posted:** Thu Nov 17, 2011 8:10 am

Michael Crabb is the 1st to offer up the obligatory 4 stars to a new R&J for the National; though, he did offer some criticism for the sets and costumes.

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Seasoned patrons of the company will inevitably compare Ratmansky’s new version with the one so fondly remembered and deeply ingrained. But for a new generation of ballet goers, this is the one they will come to love. It’s fast-paced, uncluttered almost to fault, and less prone to the melodramatic excesses that occasionally pushed Cranko’s staging to the edge of credibility. It even has a few minor narrative twists of its own. And there’s lots of dancing, not just for the major leads but for the whole company.

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As for Hudson’s austere sets and sort-of period costumes, opinions are bound to differ.

Michael Goldbarth · **Posted:** Thu Nov 17, 2011 5:04 pm

Paula Citron was very impressed with the new R&J.

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Overall, Ratmansky is the king of speed and danger. Intricate footwork, dizzying spins, fast-paced leaps and lunges – luckily, the National Ballet dancers are technical wizards.
Does Ratmansky thrust Cranko to the back burner? Suffice it to say that both ballets have a place in history. Cranko has the heart, but Ratmansky has the theatrical derring-do.

Francis Timlin · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2011 1:12 pm

Dana Glassman reviews "Romeo and Juliet" for the National Post.

National Post

Keith Bennie for BlogTO.

blogTO

ksneds · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:06 pm

Romeo and Juliet Documentary in Production
Airs on CBC in Spring 2012

November 17, 2011… The National Ballet of Canada today announced that a one-hour documentary on the creation of the world premiere of Romeo and Juliet is set to air on CBC in spring 2012 in celebration of the company’s 60th anniversary. The special presentation, titled Romeos & Juliets, is currently in production and features the creative process of internationally renowned choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, from the National Ballet studios to opening night on November 16, 2011 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Romeos & Juliets is shooting in Toronto until December 2011 and will air on CBC Television in spring 2012.

Romeos & Juliets is written, directed and produced by Moze Mossanen and is produced by Shaftesbury in association with the CBC and with the participation of the Canada Media Fund. The documentary is executive produced by Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie for Shaftesbury, with Shaftesbury’s Jan Peter Meyboom serving as supervising producer.

Romeo and Juliet runs until November 27, 2011 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto.

Francis Timlin · **Posted:** Sat Nov 26, 2011 2:12 am

Victor Swoboda reviews the Ratmansky "Romeo and Juliet" for the Montreal Gazette.

Montreal Gazette

Bronwen Jervis reviews "Romeo and Juliet" for Walrus Magazine.

Walrus Magazine

Keira99 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2011 2:36 pm

I’m excited about the CBC doc! I always love getting a look behind the scenes.

I saw the November 26 mat with Guillaume and Elena. Both were superb, and Elena really impressed me. She has a lightness to her dancing that was extraordinary. I’ve seen her dance before in supporting roles and she hadn’t particularly stood out, but she sure did as Juliet. She was marvellous, and Guillaume’s partnering was wonderful.

Juliet’s costumes were lovely, and the others were fine, but I found it confusing that there wasn’t a more clear marking of which corps members were Capulets or Montagues. The sets were nice, but didn’t knock my socks off.

I loved: the balcony scene; the playful interactions with Romeo, Mercutio and Whatshisname; and much of the third act, where Elena really shone. I enjoyed that Ratmansky took a page from Baz Luhrmann’s page and had Juliet wake while Romeo was still alive. I thought Elena and Guillaume acted the dramatic ending very well.

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National Ballet of Canada - Autumn 2011

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