I’m glad to see that the National Ballet of Canada forum continued with my absence from a 2 week holiday in Berlin! Wow…we have a flurry of posts! Sadly, due to a conflict in schedule I had to exchange my regular season subscription performances for the mixed program and the Seagull for R & J and the Carmen mixed program.
I understand mom2’s comments about the inferior casts for the Sunday matinée cards but I also understand the National’s position. Like it or not, the Opening Night, along with the Friday and Saturday evening cards attract the most single ticket buyers who want a night out on the town. So, who are you going to cast to attract these buyers who may one day convert to subscribers? Obviously, you want your stars to dance on these nights.
As for kneds comments, boy do I hear you!
Quote:
“I’d also like to see them think more about start times and length of programs. Earlier starts, as is usual now, are great during the business week. However, a three hour program - even starting at 7:30 - is very hard for those who have a long drive/ride home.”
I would be very happy if they moved up the performance to 7. That would really help with my Go Bus ride home to Stouffville! I also agree that parking rates are insane if you want to park close to the Four Seasons. Lastly, I have posted on numerous occasions concerns over ticket prices. $200 for the top seats is just plain crazy. Unfortunately, I don’t see much support coming from the current Conservative government given the recession we’re in and below
news:Quote:
"It's horrifying," says Kevin Garland, executive director of the National Ballet of Canada, explaining she has been warned not to expect any income from the company's $20-million endowment before 2011. In previous years, that fund generated as much as $900,000 in income, which the ballet used to help cover its $24-million operating budget. "We have a $900,000 hole. First, we have been going through and carefully cutting costs where we can, and the second thing is to hopefully raise more money," she says, conceding, however, that selling more tickets or snagging more donations may be difficult if a recession takes hold.
In other news, the National will once again be broadcasting their Nutcracker via
the Cineplex screen. Due to the costs of travelling, this is the only way many communities will see their Nut. There is obviously an appetite for live ballet across Canada as evidenced by
Moscow Ballet’s Tour. This makes one ponder if the NBoC should drop Canada from its name to the National Ballet of Toronto, which is what it really is. If Moscow ballet thinks it can turn a buck, why can’t the NBoC tour more?
I would like to see the NBoC double the size of its company with members of BC and Winnipeg Ballet along with signing artists from other companies to try actually living up to its name and tour frequently across Canada. You have to wonder just how long Winnipeg, BC and smaller companies across Canada can keep afloat?