Production: Peter Pan

Company: Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet

Artistic Director: Andre Lewis

When : September 18^th 2008

Where: Calgary, Alberta

Venue: Jubilee Auditorium

Reviewed by: Kristiana Barber (Calgary Correspondent – Canada)

I will always remember the first time I realized just how powerful dance can be. I watched a contemporary routine that at the time, literally moved me to tears and still resonates in my mind to this day. There is a passion and dynamism in dance that has engaged audiences in one form or another for centuries.

Ballet is one form of dance that never seems to go out of style. It has through out the year’s entertained audience’s young and old and continues to do so today. Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet is proof of this, as a company that has continuously delighted dance enthusiasts since it was founded in 1939. The company begins its 69^th season with a 10-performance tour of the classic Peter Pan. The whirlwind performances will be held in Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Saskatoon. I had the pleasure of seeing the premiere show on the Calgary stop and it was nothing short of absolutely wonderful.

The story is, of course, the whimsical tale of Wendy Darling, her brothers John and Michael and their journey to Neverland with the mischievous Peter Pan and feisty Tinker Bell. Act I of the ballet shows the Darling children waking in the night to Peter and Tinker Bell desperately trying to retrieve Peter’s shadow. Wendy becomes quite taken with Peter and after a quick flying lesson she and her brothers are off to Neverland to meet the Lost Boys. In Neverland we are introduced to all sorts of characters, from fairies to pirates, including Peter’s nemesis Captain Hook. 

Act II finds the Darling parents distraught over their missing children who meanwhile are busy in Neverland battling Captain Hook and his unsavory crew. The battle is hard and nearly fatal for Tinker Bell, but in the end Peter, Wendy, Tinker Bell and the boys are victorious. However, Wendy soon realizes the time has come to leave Neverland and return home. The remaining scenes of the show reveal the mysterious but unbreakable bond between Wendy and Peter remains strong even after their adventure has come to an end. It is a timeless story that is brilliantly brought to life by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

By far, the most dynamic performance of the evening was delivered by the extraordinary choreography and charisma of Tinker Bell. Her every movement worked towards forming the character and personality of Peter’s spirited fairy companion. The abundance of energy seemed to propel the story forward, illuminating the stage and adding a touch of fairy magic to the company.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s production of Peter Pan is without a doubt worth the time and money to see. It is a fantastic adventure sure to warm the hearts and ignite the imaginations of children and adults alike.