“Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet”

[Buddy]

“Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet”

 

Documentary -- The making of the ballet — A Small Company with A Big Heart

 

This is a very nice and interesting documentary about  the creation of a ballet of the classic “Anne of Green Gables” by a small ballet company in Canada that tours throughout the country. The Artistic Director has been awarded the Order of Canada for his work over the years.

 

It’s very interesting to see the work involved and feel the warmth and talent of those who put it together and those who perform it. A highlight for me is the constant presence of the vibrant young dancer, perfectly cast as Anne. You don’t get to see much of the actual production, but what you do see is quite fine. The entire production might be delightful. If I were ever near where it was being performed I would certainly like to take a look.

 

https://canadasballetjorgen.ca/repertoire/anne-of-green-gables-the-ballet/

 

Here’s a typical trailer.

 

 

 

[alison]

Thank you, Buddy.  It rings a vague bell - I wonder if one of the UK's youth ballet companies has ever danced a version of it?

[Buddy]

17 hours ago, alison said:

Thank you, Buddy.  It rings a vague bell - I wonder if one of the UK's youth ballet companies has ever danced a version of it?

 

You’re welcome, Alison. There was also a musical made, of which I know very little. Maybe someday someone else might also like to give it a try — Christopher Wheeldon ?

 

“The musical was Canada's longest-running musical,[1] having been performed annually from its opening in 1965 until 2019, with the planned 2020 and 2021 productions cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] In March 2014, it was officially recognized as the longest running annual musical theatre production in the world by Guinness World Records.[3]” 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_of_Green_Gables:_The_Musical

 

I think that in the “Anne of Green Gables” ballet one of the biggest challenges is to take some of the most charming spoken wordings that I’ve ever read and translate them into a wordless presentation. Here’s one of Anne’s remarks.

 

"That's Barry's pond," said Matthew.

 

Anne — “Oh, I don't like that name, either. I shall call it--let me see--

 

the Lake of Shining Waters.”

 

The book is loaded with such lovely comments. In the documentary you can see how they try to create imagery that conveys the feelings of such ideas rather than trying somehow to literally recreate them.

 

“A Story Through Movement” -- Another related thing that I notice is the presence of a Stage Director. “Anything that’s not dance I take care of.”…. ‘My job is’ ”turning dancers into actors.” From the few highlighted examples, with some fine choreography, this is very well accomplished. I think that this is perhaps one of the strong points of ballets and staged dancing from English speaking cultures because of their rich theatrical heritage.

 

[Jane S]

12 hours ago, alison said:

Thank you, Buddy.  It rings a vague bell - I wonder if one of the UK's youth ballet companies has ever danced a version of it?

 

The London Children's Ballet did it at the Peacock last year, didn't they? Choreography by Jenna Lee