BalletX, November 18 + 19, 7:30pm
Dance Victoria is thrilled to present the Victoria premiere of Philadelphia’s BalletX on November 18 and 19, 2022 at the Royal Theatre with a mixed program of contemporary ballet.
The New York Times calls BalletX dancers ”among America’s best.” Diverse and innovative, the company commissions new works that are “fresh, inclusive and connect to what people want.” (Philadelphia Citizen)
BalletX co-founders Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan formed BalletX in 2005 when they were still dancers with Pennsylvania Ballet, aspiring for their contemporary ballet company to perform world premieres by renowned choreographers at Jacob’s Pillow, Vail Dance Festival and internationally.
Fourteen years later, nearly every piece BalletX performs is a world premiere – over 100 world premieres to date – collaborating with a dazzling array of international choreographers. For their mixed contemporary ballet program at the Royal Theatre, BalletX will share Increasing by co-founder Matthew Neenan, a kinetic dance to Franz Schubert’s String Quintet in C Major, Op. 163 and D. 956, Movement I. Allegro ma non troppo. The non-narrative work hints at relationships, but mainly just allows for exquisite dancing and visualization of Schubert’s musical phrasing, as each instrument is translated into movement. There is an exuberant recurring motif of a dancer bursting unexpectedly through the others to take over the stage. The choreography blends solos, duets, and larger groups that coalesce and dissolve.
Fancy Me is a romantic duet created by Caili Quan to R&B Groove Me by King Floyd, carrying fluid, hip hop movements inspired by the sounds and fashion of the 1970s. Amy Seiwert’s It’s Not a Cry takes Leonard Cohen’s famously moving Hallelujah, performed by Jeff Buckley, to explore a couple’s entanglement and push-pull power dynamic of intimacy and dependency. After intermission, Victoria audiences will experience Honey by former Alvin Ailey dancer (and now Ailey Choreographer in Residence) Jamar Roberts. Honey has three central duets, set to music by Don Shirley, a Jamaican American composer and classical and jazz pianist. Three couples portray various stages and experiences of love: the fiery passion of new love and its rollercoaster of highs and lows; an established relationship fraught with power struggles; and aspirational love that stands the test of time. Luscious costumes are by Mark Eric – many will remember his inspiring designs from Ballet Hispánico’s Doña Péron last season. The program concludes with EXALT by Canadian-born Jennifer Archibald, classical ballet on pointe to a playlist of house music that will make the audience want to get up out of their seats at the Royal and dance!
BalletX
Mixed Repertoire
Increasing MATTHEW NEENAN
Fancy Me CAILI QUAN
It’s Not a Cry AMY SEIWERT
Honey JAMAR ROBERTS
EXALT JENNIFER ARCHIBALD
Friday + Saturday, November 18 + 19, 7:30 pm
Royal Theatre
How to Buy
Visit the Royal and McPherson Theatres website for current Box Office hours.
Phone the Royal Box Office: 250-386-6121 or Toll Free 1-888-717-6121, Monday to Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed 1:00 to 1:30 pm)
Online: DanceVictoria.com
SINGLE TICKET PRICES (NON-SUBSCRIBER PRICING)
| Loge | $129 |
| Premium | $119 |
| A | $99 |
| B | $79 |
| C+ | $39 |
| C | $31 |
SEASON SUBSCRIPTION ON SALE UNTIL NOVEMBER 19
Save up to $156 with a 4-show subscription! Learn more about subscriber benefits.
| Loge | $360 (you save $156) |
| Premium | $329 (you save $145) |
| A | $294(you save $100) |
| B | $224 (you save $89) |
About Dance Victoria
Dance Victoria brings the World’s Best Dance to the Royal Theatre and supports the development of new dance for the international stage from its studios in Quadra Village. As a non-profit charitable society, Dance Victoria operates with the mission to promote the appreciation of dance by developing and presenting diverse local, Canadian, and international artists, and by engaging the community in the celebration of dance. DanceVictoria.com
Media Materials
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Tracy Smith
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250-595-1829