>>PREVIEW
ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET: DRACULA
Opens April 7
Eric Harvey Theatre
When it comes to the countless interpretations of Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula, the ballet isn’t the first thing to come to mind. After all, the name Dracula evokes the flickering image of Bela Lugosi or the countless other actors who’ve stepped onto the silver screen, in pancake makeup cowering behind a cape. Attempting to sear their definitive version of Dracula into the minds of the public, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet brings their critically acclaimed and crowd pleaser of a show Dracula back to Calgary.
Other ballet companies have tried putting their stamp onto the Dracula story without much success. Through sheer lyrical power and grace though, choreographer Mark Godden has brought a level of emotion unseen since the novel first caused a stir when it was released in 1897. Unlike the book, with its fainting vampire hunters, the ballet focuses on Lucy and Mina and their differing, but nonetheless twisted relationships with Dracula. FFWD chats with the RWB’s artistic director, Andre Lewis, about the appeal of the Dracula narrative, the power of ballet and how if it’s OK for his five-year-old daughter, it’s OK for everyone.
FFWD: What is the universal appeal of the Dracula story?
Lewis: There certainly seems be an interest in the darker side of human nature and maybe the concept of the eternal life. There’s a certain allure to that. Though if you were stuck in that, you probably wouldn’t enjoy it all that much.
FFWD: So why is the ballet a perfect fit for Dracula?
Lewis: What Mark Godden, the choreographer, did was go back to the original text of Bram Stoker’s book. Mark has used those universal themes to build a story about Dracula and how he influenced society at the time. That was his inspiration. Hollywood has done so many different versions, and most of them are only connected by the name, everything else is so different or very wild interpretations.
FFWD: How does Dracula fit into the RWB’s repertoire?
Lewis: The RWB has always been about new works and new ways of interpreting something. We’ve always been young in our approach, instead of an old organization that doesn’t move with the times. The RWB has always been known as a more populist organization as well. It was just part of a reality that Winnipeg needed to attract not only the devotees of dance, but those not necessarily inclined to see ballet. Dracula is in that mode.
FFWD: Some of the reviews have noted how gruesome the ballet can get.
Lewis: If you compare it to what you see on television, it’s rather soft, but comparing it to Sleeping Beauty (the ballet), Dracula has a decapitation that’s right out of the book. There are some moments where Dracula reveals himself for who he is, and you see a more human side, if you will, as he tries to fit in to society. There’s a little bit of blood, but nothing so squeamish that my 5 year old daughter couldn’t cope. She’s the litmus test for me. No nightmares, she wanted to see it again. |
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