From Cro-Magnon to ballerina
The evolution of The Royal Winnipeg ballet
DAYNA STEINFELD VOLUNTEER STAFF
In the 19th century, Charles Darwin published his momentous work, The Origin of Species. It is in this work that Darwin presents the idea of natural selection, a theory that argues the basic principles of evolution. While the theory of evolution remains somewhat controversial, I would venture a guess that the decisionmakers at Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet are Darwinists. Or at the very least, the RWB seems to be living proof of evolution — and the survival of the fittest. Case in point lies with the presentation of the first ballet of the RWB’s season, A Cinderella Story.
The traditionalists in the ballet world have criticized the RWB for straying from the classics and turning towards more modern, avant-garde productions such as Cinderella, Dracula, and The Magic Flute. Yet after sitting amongst a sold-out crowd to watch A Cinderella Story, it was obvious to me that the RWB has merely done what is necessary to keep the company afloat and beyond that, stimulate a dedicated audience. It is not by chance that the RWB commissions and puts on these userfriendly ballets. After all, what is an entertainment company without its audience? And as society has evolved, the RWB has simply followed suit and in doing so has found great success, as proved by the 2005-06 season ending with a surplus in revenue. While the conservatives in the dance world remain staunchly tied to the classic masterpieces, it is likely that this group will die out as audiences dwindle and the RWB will continue to grow.
The RWB has perfected a formula that keeps the company profitable. The company has not completely ceased to present traditional ballets, but rather arranges these ballets near the end of the season, choosing to start with productions that have mass audience appeal. In starting with entertainment-value ballets, people who would otherwise never be exposed to ballet are eased into the art form, and likely will decide to purchase tickets for ballets later in the season. The audience at Cinderella was made up of children, teenagers and perhaps most startling, a large percentage of males. The ability to draw and sustain these audience groupings is crucial to the future of the ballet company, a future that would be uncertain without ballets that promise to entertain even the biggest ballet skeptics.
Perhaps the evolution of the RWB is best demonstrated symbolically by Tara Birtwhistle’s ascent to prima ballerina and public face of the company, a role once graced by Evelyn Hart. While Hart was the perpetual Juliet or Gisele, Birtwhistle is theatrical, dramatic, and most importantly, versatile. Birtwhistle’s presence on stage is a commanding one, her short platinum blonde hair declaring her undeniably anticonservative. It is fitting that it is she who leads the company through its new era of modernism, risk, and ultimately reward. Birtwhistle acts as honourary co-chair of the Sustaining Applause campaign to build a creation endowments fund, which will allow for the creation of new ballets and the revitalization of the ballet’s current repertoire. In this role, Birtwhistle is a passionate ambassador for the evolution that is underway at Winnipeg’s world-renowned dance company.
The future looks bright for the RWB. The company has successfully managed to generate an everexpanding loyal audience, both at home and around the world while on tour. Ballets like A Cinderella Story are fresh, cool, and innovative. It is dance that draws an audience, one that leaves impressed with the entertainment and therefore is likely to return. The critics may continue to disapprove but the RWB will undoubtedly emerge victorious in the fight of survival of the fittest. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet has found its place in modern times and will continue to grow, succeed, and provide truly enjoyable dance for an ever more willing and excited audience. As Tara Birtwhistle herself put it while promoting Sustaining Applause, “We’re a pioneering company. We’re not afraid to do things that aren’t strictly traditional.” I am sure even Darwin himself would be proud of the RWB’s achievement in evolution.
