Performances

Bournemouth Pier Theatre

The Nutcracker is a fabulous Christmas treat for all the family, and will really help to kick-start the Season and bring on the magic and excitement of Christmas.

This production is suitable for all ages. Children are welcome to come in their Fairy dresses and dance in the aisles if the music and dancing so inspires them to.....and....they will also get to meet the ballerina's in person after the Saturday and Sunday Matinee Performances!!

Not only does Father Christmas himself make an appearance, but there's a glittering 'Growing Christmas Tree' to behold, Comic Mice and Soldiers who will make you laugh with their battle antics, plus the gorgeous Snowflakes Ballet - with falling snow - to make you gasp with its beauty and of course Tchiakovsky's delightful music cannot but lift anyone's spirits.

And that's not all, for in Act 2 we are transported to the Kingdom of the Christmas Treats, which showcases the old-fashioned Christmas table, laden with Seasonal goodies to eat and decorated with the flora of the Season, the Christmas Tree Angels, the Flowers, and of course the sumptuous Grand Pas de Deux....all before Young Clara, dreaming herself to be all grown up, awakes to find herself back to earth on Christmas morning...just as Father Christmas places presents under the tree and leaves.....

This production is all about celebrating the magic of Christmas. It will not fail to get anyone in the mood for the Season, it won't cost the earth to come and see, and what's more you don't even need to to the expense of endure the long travel to London when you'll be able to enjoy the best Christmas treat in town - right here in Bournemouth!! Book Now to secure your seats.

REHEARSALS FOR THESE PERFORMANCES WILL COMMENCE ON SEPTEMBER 4th

Giselle
(Supported with 'The Magic Toyshop')
Tentative Dates between April 21st to April 24th 2011 tbc
The Lighthouse Poole

Known as the greatest and 'most perfect' ballet of all time, the two-Act Giselle celebrates its 170th Birthday in 2011. It is both a visual, musical and spiritual delight.

A pure masterpiece that never fails to move and inspire, it tells the story of Giselle, a simple peasant girl who is courted by Loys who, unknown to her and her people is really Count Albrecht in disguise.
Giselle is also secretly admired by Hilarion, who does everything he can to get on the good side of her widowed mother, Berthe. Giselle, chirpy, happy and in love with Albrecht and life is soon to have her world turned upside down. Firstly, Hilarion finds out about her relationship with Loys, and jealously he seeks to find out the real identity of the stranger who courts 'his' love. Then, crowned Queen of the Harvest, Giselle over-excited and as happy as she could ever be is suddenly taken ill by her recurrent heart condition, but puts on a brave face as she struggles with her symptoms. Her mother, sombre, forbids her to dance anymore, stating that if she is not careful she will die before her Wedding Day and become a ghostly Wili. Finally, a Hunting Party arrives from the Castle in the distance. It is Loys' worst nightmare - for it is his real betrothed, Bathilde with his father the Duke, as well as other relatives and dignatories. How is he going to get out of this one? As expected, Albrecht's true identity is eventually and embarrassingly revealed to all. Not only is he cold-shouldered by his fiancee, but Giselle loses her reason in a scene of pure sadness and desperation, finally dying in Albrecht's arms. Seeing her lying lifeless Albrecht, gutted and distraught, realises that Giselle was his one and only true love.....

Act Two sees us on the far reaches of a churchyard next to a forest. Poor Giselle has been buried on the outskirts in a simple grave. As mourners leave Albrecht appears, absolutely grief stricken, and half the person he used to be. He falls at Giselle's grave and pours his heart out. His manservant unable to convince him to leave her side, races off in fear - for it is near to midnight and the dreaded Wili's may appear soon! Sensing Giselle's spirit nearby Albrecht seeks in vain to find his love....

Soon the toll of midnight approaches and Myrtha, Queen of the Wili's appears, hails her brethren and upon the appearance of Hilarion, also paying his respects, orders the Wili's to dance him to his death, which they obediently do. Giselle is hailed from her grave and welcomed into the ghostly presence of Myrtha and the Wili's. Her stiff, jerky steps as she moves forward are suddenly given life by the touch of the branch of Rosemary held by the Queen. Giselle is told in no uncertain terms that it is her duty to dance her lover to his death....and her brethren are more than happy to help her achieve this. However, so touched by the pure, heartfelt love shown by Albrecht at her graveside, Giselle's ghostly presence appears to him and throughout the course of the evening shows him that she still loves him by helping him 'just about' survive the ordeal....moments before the bells of dawn are heard in the distance and the Wili's have to leave and return to their graves.

The Magical Toyshop
The Magical Toyshop, the supporting ballet to Giselle, is loosely based upon Leonide Massine's 'La Boutique Fantasque'. It has been reworked and rewritten but uses the same music by Ottorino Resphigi.
Set in a mysterious but highly interesting toyshop, various customers, families from England, America and India enter the shop to see the amazing lifelike dolls that the dollmaker has made. They are all intrigued and fascinated at the craftsmanship and skill and can't decide which dolls they would like to buy! The two families decide to buy one half each of the Wedding Couple. However, when the shop closes its doors and nighttime falls, the dolls seem to come to life all on their own...and hatch a plan to make sure that the lovers are not parted...obviously chaos ensues the next day when the families arrive to collect their purchases....

REHEARSALS FOR THESE PERFORMANCES WILL COMMENCE ON JANUARY 8th

The Snow Queen
Thursday 14th July to Saturday 16th July 2011
Lighthouse Theatre, Poole

July is our Season of Original Ballet - another brand new creation from top to bottom! The Snow Queen, like our previous ballet's Mermaid and Snow White, will again be a very exciting production indeed. The dancers will create original roles and new characters, that have never been danced before, and the ballet as an original concept will evolve with them and their talents. If you thought Mermaid and Snow White were interesting and creative experiences in ballet, then The Snow Queen will not fail to please either. As usual there will be a stunning combination of classical and new age music, interesting characters, gripping storyline, and some excellent dancing from all ranks of cast.

Andersons' fairytale is brought to life in an entirely originally created Three Act Ballet of the famous tale, weaving together the story of persistence and courage in the face of adversity. A charming and heartwarming story, The Snow Queen tells the tale of how Gerda searches far and wide, and through time and distance to find her best friend, Kai, who has been abducted by The Snow Queen. Her never ending faith and humility give her the strength to keep on with her quest and not give up until she finds him. Kai's heart and soul were frozen when minute specks of a magical evil mirror fell into his eyes and heart and made him cold and aloof - perfect company for the Snow Queen, who captures him and takes him to her Icy Palace. Gerda's journey takes her across rivers and streams to the land of flowers, to a beautiful palace, a gypsy encampment and finally to the Snow Queen's Palace, while the Season's of Time pass by and by......

From the eerie Kingdom of the Sorceress, to the Icy vastness of the Snow Queen's Palace, to forests, a flower garden, and beyond this ballet has it all - and as usual, fabulous classical and contemporary music to accompany an intriguing and engaging plot! Don't miss out!!!

REHEARSALS FOR THESE PERFORMANCES WILL COMMENCE ON 30th APRIL