The National Ballet season is probably my favourite time of the year.
It’s usually an exciting email in my inbox, to say the least. I’m always so keen to know what surprises the National Ballet of Canada has in store for the upcoming year.
And of course, this 2018/19 season will not disappoint!
The 2018/19 Season is bringing to life the story of Anna Karenina, The Merry Widow, and Alice in Wonderland for their full feature performances. Along with the annual performance of The Nutcracker, this is a well-rounded season.
Their mixed programmes consist of Being & Nothingness and The Dream, Paquito & Apollo & The Sea Above, The Sky Below, and Physical Thinking.
And don’t forget that they also have the Erik Brunh Competition, and the Mad Hot Gala in between the performances.
2018/19 Season
Anna Karenina
November 10 – 18 This is the North American premiere. This is going to be awesome, as it’s a present-day adaptation rather than 19th century. The music incorporates Tchaikovsky, Alfred Schnittke, and Cat Stevens. Choreography created by John Neumeier.
Being & Nothingness and The Dream
November 21 – 25 One of principal dancer, Guillaume Cote’s work in Being & Nothingness, and Frederik Ashton’s interpretation of A Midsummer’s Night Dream in The Dream.
Paquito & Apollo & The Sea Above, The Sky Below
March 1 -3 and 20 -21 I absolutely love the mixed programmes that the NBC puts on. I think that these are the best ones to introduce someone new to the ballet, or perhaps someone who isn’t 100% on board with the whole idea. They’re usually fairly short and a bit more diverse in terms of music and choreography. I am very excited about this one!
Alice In Wonderland
March 7 – 17 I saw this one a couple years ago, and it’s absolutely worth going to see. It’s a lovely take on the classic story, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon. The sets and costumes are so fun!
Physical Thinking
June 1 – 8 Two Company Premieres on this one. It’s also the William Forsythe Programme, and from the sounds of it will be a more modern and contemporary set of works.
The Merry Widow
June 19 – 23 The last full length which is a romantic comedy that’s set in Paris in the late 1800’s. That means that the set and costumes are going to be lush and fantastic.
I don’t know about you, but I think that I might actually finally cave and get a subscription this year. It’ll be easier to budget if I already have the tickets, and then I’m not panicking about not getting a seat. Even though I normally go to the ballet by myself, I might get 2 so I can bring people with me (or the hubby!).
Subscriptions and renewals are now on sale, you can get them here. I definitely recommend checking out at least one of their performances this year, if you’re unsure then check out Alice in Wonderland.
Will you be heading to the ballet in 2018/19?
J x
