Earlier this week, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet unveiled their 2021/22 Concert Season. Associate artistic director Tara Birtwhistle was on Morning Light! 

After more than a year away, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet is set to return home to the Centennial Concert Hall for their 82nd season. 

“Like with everyone, this pandemic, it’s really turned us upside down,” says Birtwhistle. Though the RWB company dancers have kept rehearsing and presented masked, physically distanced digital productions recorded in the RWB’s Founders’ Studio, she notes something integral has been missing when performing online. “Just to get back into the concert hall and be with our audiences again… to perform to a live audience is what (dancers) are born to do.” 

Pending provincial health guidelines and restrictions, the RWB looks forward to welcoming back an audience—albeit a reduced one—to the Centennial Concert Hall come their October season opener. “We imagine the capacity would be smaller, and imagine that we’ll still be socially distancing… but I think it will feel a little more ‘normal’” says Birtwhistle. 

Perpetual Motion - October 14-17, 2021

A double bill featuring two company favourites, Rodeo and Seventh Symphony, opens the season.

“Both are beloved ballets that the RWB has been doing for a very long time and are very much quintessential RWB,” explains Birtwhistle. Originally intended as part of the 80th Retrospective, the ballets’ vibrant, fun, and triumphant character will make for a radiant and celebratory return to the concert hall.  

Nutcracker - December 18-28, 2021 

Not even the pandemic could stop the perennial favourite Nutcracker this past season, which was shared digitally in an abridged format.

“We hope that’s going to be our big bang,” says Birtwhistle. “We’re going to ease in (to the season) with Perpetual Motion but we’re going to do a full Nutcracker.” Noting that they are prepared to pivot if needed, the possibility of seeing the full company back on stage is tantalizing. “We’re very excited,” glows Birtwhistle. 

The Sleeping Beauty - February 23-27, 2022 

To begin the new year, RWB presents another lavish, spellbinding Tchaikovsky masterwork.

“We want to bring glamour back,” says Birtwhistle. A quintessential part of the repertoire, the spellbinding classical ballet features elegant costumes, timeless choreography and a gorgeous score. “Everyone loves Sleeping Beauty.” 

Val Caniparoli’s A Cinderella Story - May 11-15, 2022 

Billed as “ballet meets Broadway”, a dazzling production concludes the season.

“It is one of our most beautiful ballets,” says Birtwhistle. “Very jazzy, the costumes are amazing and it takes place in the 60s around the television.” With music arranged by the incomparable Winnipeg bandleader Ron Paley, this feel-good fusion of classical ballet, jazz and tap brings the mainstage season to a close.