Based on the play by Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale is a story of loss and redemption, a meditation on love, jealousy and the nature of family. Combining elements of fairy tale, comedy, tragedy and fantasy, choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, composer Joby Talbot and designer Bob Crowley have created one of the most inventive and touching full-length ballets in decades.
Christopher Wheeldon, in his ballet version of the play, shies away from neither the story’s thematic complexities nor the radical and often conflicting shifts in tone that make it the bold and unique work that it is. The same key creative team who gave us the unforgettable Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, embraces the full range of the play’s emotional life, lavishing some of his most inventive and exuberant choreography to date on the rich and captivating characters that populate Shakespeare’s beguiling narrative.
The Winter’s Tale Trailer
The Winter’s Tale in 100 Seconds by Christopher Wheeldon
A ballet alert in every scene to the ambiguities and contradictions that both shape and confound our lives, The Winter’s Tale is a profound and searching drama of love and redemption and the spring that lies beneath even the darkest of days.
The opening night cast will feature Principal Dancer Piotr Stanczyk and First Soloist Hannah Fischer who reprise the lead roles of Leontes and Hermione. Performing the roles of Perdita and Florizel will be Principal Dancers Jillian Vanstone and Naoya Ebe. Principal Dancers Harrison James and Xiao Nan Yu will dance the roles of Polixenes and Paulina.
In The National Ballet of Canada’s latest video series Principal Dancer Piotr Stanczyk, First Soloist Hannah Fischer and Principal Dancer Xiao Nan Yu give you their insights on Leontes, Hermione and Paulina, respectively.
Who’s Who in The Winter’s Tale: Leontes
Who’s Who in The Winter’s Tale: Hermione
Who’s Who in The Winter’s Tale: Paulina