Rave reviews for Ukrainian Shumka Dancers’ retelling of a holiday classic.
Ukrainian Shumka Dancers’ Nutcracker
November 28 + 29 | 7:00 pm
November 29 + 30 | 1:00 pm
Royal Theatre
The Ukrainian Shumka Dancers were recently inducted into the Dance Collection Danse Canadian Hall of Fame, an annual honour recognizing individuals and organizations who have made significant, lifelong contributions to Canadian dance. This is a testament to how the company continues to captivate audiences and critics with its singular blend of Ukrainian character dance and classical ballet, seamlessly blending explosive high-kicks with elegant arabesques and pirouettes. Their signature production, Nutcracker, returns to the Royal Theatre from Nov. 28–30, with live accompaniment by the Victoria Symphony.
When Dance Victoria last presented Shumka’s Nutcracker in 2023, The Dance Current reporter Alexandra Woodley was in attendance at the Royal Theatre and reviewed the performance. She praised the vibrant Ukrainian interpretation of the beloved tale, noting its dynamic choreography, rich cultural storytelling, inventive new additions, and the infectious energy shared between dancers, musicians, and audience.
Woodley shared, “The magic of Ukrainian dance explodes in its dynamic and bold style with the commencement of the party scene. We are shocked into attention with massive jumps, fast turns, high kicks and brilliantly coloured costumes… I find myself constantly excited to see how Shumka has diverted expectations of what Nutcracker will look, feel and sound like… The mounting cheer in the room is infectious and flows between the dancers and the audience fluidly.”
Read Woodley’s full review here.
More Glowing Reviews for Shumka’s Nutcracker
“The Ukrainian Shumka Dancers were magnificent. They emulated skating and frolicking in the snow, there was such charm and individuality entwined in the characters large and small… The dancers embraced a playful and relaxed feel, with a rather modern and up-to-date attitude and amazing accuracy and artistry.” – New Pathway Ukrainian News
“A perfect first Nutcracker for many generations… a powerful and beautiful thing to behold.” – Edmonton Journal
Curator’s Note
“There is something special about seeing Shumka’s version of the holiday classic at the Royal Theatre. There are the audience members—truly of all ages—with delight on their faces as they experience a familiar story infused with the vibrancy and colour of Ukrainian folk dance and cultural traditions. When I first saw the production, two years ago, I was struck by a collective sense of joy—and the audience’s whooping! Once these unbelievably strong dancers start leaping, kicking, and spinning, I suspect you will be cheering, too.”– Gillian Jones, Executive Director, Dance Victoria
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