Ballet Victoria gives The Nutcracker a modern update

The classic tale of The Nutcracker will get a modern twist when Ballet Victoria brings their updated adaptation of the beloved ballet to Revelstoke.

“The traditional story is a bit dated and has some derogatory perceptions. I think we’re all about equality in the 21^st Century,” said Paul Destroopers, artistic and executive director of Ballet Victoria.

This adaptation of The Nutcracker takes inspiration from the myth of Pandora’s Box. In this version Clara (played by Revelstoke dancer Maia Zinselmeyer) opens the box and out pops various characters from the realm of fantasy and reality. Destroopers said the inspiration to base the story on Pandora’s Box stems from the idea that all children at one time or another have sneaked underneath the Christmas tree to open their presents before they were supposed to.

Ballet Victoria presents holiday season classic The Nutcracker at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre on Dec. 18 and 19. Photo: Gail Takahashi/Ballet Victoria

“She [Clara] has to dance with every single group or creature and give them a gift. When she’s conquered her fear the characters go back in the box,” said Destroopers.

Despite its contemporary update, Ballet Victoria’s adaptation of The Nutcracker still includes many of the traditional elements. There’s the uncle who brings Clara a present, as well as the snowstorm. However, in this case the snowstorm is used to make a joke about Elsa in the recent Disney movie Frozen. Destroopers said it’s an opportunity to have youth look at traditional choreography, but mix it with contemporary movement and concepts.

“Tradition evolves. Every [dance] company has a different version of The Nutcracker,” he said. “It’s a great piece for people who have never seen dance because it’s accessible, it’s entertaining.”

Unlike other versions, Ballet Victoria’s adaptation doesn’t include a battle, and the Nutcracker just happens to be a woman. Ballet Victoria also incorporates local dancers into the performance. Aside from Clara there are 11 other local dancers featured. Destroopers said this gives local dancers an opportunity to work alongside professional dancers

“We incorporate young dancers from the community so they can get experience with professional dancers. They get an understanding of what professional dancers do, even if they don’t want to be professional dancers,” said Destroopers. “People often can’t believe how much local dancers are involved.”

Ballet Victoria’s professional dancers guide the local talent onstage the entire time. Destroopers said the professional dancers spend time on stage guiding and prompting local dancers. It’s for this reason local dancers featured in the performance don’t need to have a whole lot of experience. It also provides a very natural authentic look to the performance.

Miriam Manley, executive director of The Revelstoke Arts Council said it is impressive to see how Destroopers has created a ballet company in a way that is very tourable.

“He’s super passionate about having people in small communities have access to dance. He’s really doing it for the love of it,” she said.

The experience of working alongside professional dancers gives local youth a chance to see just how hard the Ballet Victoria dancers work not only on stage, but off stage as well. Unlike many other ballet companies, Ballet Victoria dancers can do it all from stage set-up to coping with technical issues and even working on costumes.

“The company is essentially me and the dancers. That means everybody collaborates. I will do everything from marketing to grant writing because my focus is really on the artist,” said Destroopers.

The Nutcracker will be performed at The Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre on Dec. 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets visit revelstokeartscouncil.com, call 250-814-9325 or email [email protected]. Tickets may also be available at the door prior to the performance.