Celebrating their 60th anniversary season, The National Ballet of Canada presents choreographer John Neumeier’s critically acclaimed narrative ballet The Seagull, in NAC’s Southam Hall from April 12 to 14, 2012. An adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s brilliant play by the same name, the Russian writer’s classic work lends itself to the language of dance – the world of writers and actors is brilliantly transformed to choreographers and dancers. Wrought with raw physicality and dramatic intensity, the contemporary ballet depicts complex interlinking love relationships peppered with reflections on the past, lost chances, and squandered possibilities. All performances are accompanied by the National Arts Centre Orchestra, under the baton of the National Ballet’s Music Director and Principal Conductor David Briskin.

One of Europe’s most brilliant choreographers, the American-born, German-based John Neumeier possesses an instinctive and authoritative sense of theatricality. His works regularly hold a modern dramatic framework, firmly rooted in the classical aesthetic, and The Seagull provides a perfect vehicle for Neumeier’s distinctive gifts. His deft choreographic strokes showcase the richly developed relationships and the tension between the characters in the ballet - the influence of love on the artistic sensibility, intergenerational struggles, and the nature of love itself.
 
Originally choreographed for Neumeier’s own Hamburg-based dance company in 2002, The National Ballet of Canada’s exquisite dancers breathe emotional depth and honesty into the characters they inhabit, while displaying stunning athleticism as they move through the choreographer’s complex partnering sequences and gravity defying lifts.

Neumeier’s talent extends beyond the stage. The choreographer also designed the gorgeous sets, costumes, and lighting for the work. A haunting score, drawn from such composers as Shostakovich, Evelyn Glennie, Tchaikovsky and Scriabin, forms the ideal musical matrix for this richly imagined and not-to-be missed contemporary ballet.

“The National Ballet’s Seagull soars... Neumeier [is]... the greatest storytelling choreographer today.”
The Globe and Mail, 2012

“      /5” Toronto Sun, 2012

The Seagull
Choreography     John Neumeier
Costume, Set, Lighting Design John Neumeier
Music     Dmitri Shostakovich, Evelyn Glennie, Pyotr Iliych Tchaikovsky, and Alexander Scriabin
   
Duration: 2 hours and 28 minutes
The NAC wish to acknowledge the support of media partner Radio Canada.

Special Exhibition
FEET AND MIRRORS: Backstage photographs by Aleksandar Antonijevic
April 11-29
NAC Southam Hall lobby
Free admission

My visual language and understanding of my subject –the human body– has been formed over my 25-year career as a professional dancer. Having been observed, criticized, appreciated, judged, and celebrated, I find myself grappling with a sense of isolation and solitude, in striking contrast to the very public life I live. This is what I explore in my photography
 – Aleksandar Antonijevic

A native of Yugoslavia, Aleksandar Antonijevic studied at the National Ballet School in Novi Sad. He joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1991 where he has been a Principal Dancer since 1995 and has danced in most of the major works in the company’s repertoire including principal roles in Giselle, Onegin, Romeo and Juliet and The Sleeping Beauty.
Mr. Antonijevic is also a photographer whose work has been featured at CONTACT, Toronto’s annual international photography festival. He has had two exhibitions of his work and photographed the principal dancers for The National Ballet of Canada’s 2011/12 Souvenir Book.

Mr. Antonijevic will appear onstage in the role of Trigorin, on the National Arts Centre’s opening night of The Seagull on April 12th.

School Residency Project
NAC Dance and The National Ballet of Canada are providing an amazing opportunity to two local Ottawa high schools in the lead up to the company’s NAC performances. Annemarie Cabri, Artist Educator with the YOU dance program of the National Ballet (YOU dance stands for Youth, Outreach and Understanding dance), will lead in-school workshops over three days, followed by a combined workshop at the NAC, backstage tours, a discussion with local dance historian Kathryn Jones, and a performance of The National Ballet of Canada’s The Seagull.

The National Ballet of Canada’s The Seagull performs in the Southam Hall Thursday to Saturday, April 12 to 14, 2012 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $49.51, $68.87, $79.64 and $87.17 for adults and $26.26, $35.94, $41.32 and $45.09 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card).
Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices; to reserve your seats, call 613-947-7000, ext. 634, or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.
Tickets are available for purchase:
• In person at the NAC Box Office
• At all Ticketmaster outlets
• By telephone from Ticketmaster, 1-888-991-2787 (ARTS)
• Online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s website (www.nac-cna.ca)
• A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster

This production is eligible for the Trinity Live Rush program. Full-time students aged 13-29 with a valid Live Rush membership may buy up to two tickets per performance at the discounted price of only $12 per ticket. Live Rush tickets are available from 10 a.m. on the day before the performance until 6 p.m. on the day of the performance. This includes all available seats, including the best seats in the house. Check out liverush.ca for information on the Trinity Live Rush program.

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For more information, please call:
Eleri Evans
Marketing and Communications Officer, Dance
National Arts Centre
613-947-7000 ext. 379; e-mail: eleri.evans@nac-cna.ca
or visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca