The combination of an enduring Christmastime story and legendary Canadian artistry has got legs. Introduced last year, the Group of Seven Nutcracker struck a chord, and has undergone some refinements for this season’s tour, which comes to Kitchener Monday at the Centre In The Square.
Set against the world-famous images of the rural north, Ballet Jörgen’s Group of Seven Nutcracker puts a distinctly Canadian twist on the traditional Christmas favourite.
“It’s the traditional Nutcracker story, but set in a Canadian context,” said Bengt Jörgen, artistic director of the Toronto-based company, noting the tale is versatile enough to be adapted, in this case moving from its German setting to the lakefront areas that inspired the artists who became the Group of Seven. Klara and the Nutcracker Prince are still front and center, but inhabit a world that includes a wintry schoolhouse in Bisset, Ontario (a locale used by the artists) and the wetlands of Algonquin Park. It’s a Canadian landscape filled with snowflakes, Mounties, and charming woodland creatures.
For Jörgen, the production localizes the story but also makes it more compelling to audiences, especially to the children for whom the Nutcracker is their first exposure to ballet. With more action and more creatures, this version holds those youngsters’ attention. And the renowned imagery of the Group of Seven serves to captivate the adults, he explained.
Choreographed by Jörgen to Tchaikovsky’s familiar score, this Canuck adaptation evolved from a collaboration with the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, which has allowed three of the great 20th century Canadian landscape artists to be featured: Franklin Carmichael (Church and Houses at Bisset, 1931), Tom Thomson (Snow in the Woods, 1916) and L.L. FitzGerald (Trees and Wildflowers, 1922).
In addition to the traditional Nutcracker characters, this version has added loons, birches, dragonflies, beavers and squirrels, among others.
“We filled out the story to make it more engaging, but the fundamentals remain. With this, I wanted to make sure dramatically it was a great story to tell,” said Jörgen, adding the goal was to create a ballet that, though tied to Christmas, could be performed anytime and retain its appeal.
Taking place in Northern Ontario rather than Germany, and featuring several new characters and associated dances, the Group of Seven Nutcracker retains the familiar storyline and, of course, the timeless musical score. Klara, an orphan, has come to Canada and is attending her first party here, set in a school rather than a home, as in the original.
The ballet’s second act is noted for its celebration of dances (various nationalities in the original); the Group of Seven Nutcracker follows this tradition, but places the second act in a Canadian summer setting with trillium flowers, raccoons, loons, dragonflies, bears, Mother Spruce, and a grand pas de deux danced by the King and Queen Birch.
This arrangement seems to be going over well – “We’re really happy with response – people love it.
“I wanted to make it more engaging throughout for the kids – they enjoy the animals. At the same time, it’s more interesting for the adults, who enjoy the [artistic imagery] of the Group of Seven.”
Jörgen sees it as a more cohesive story that carries through the entire performance.
As with past years, Ballet Jörgen also offers young dancers a chance to take part in the presentation, recognizing how the story appeals to kids. Students from dance schools in the region have been selected join the professional cast for the local performances or to tour with the company.
The Group of Seven Nutcracker dances on stage for two performances Dec. 28 (2 and 7:30 p.m.) at the Centre in the Square. Tickets are $33-$53 for adults, $21-$53 for children, available from the box office by calling 578-1570 or online at www.centre-square.com.
