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Reviews
Expect vivacity and versatility
Citie Ballet's weekend performance revolves around the letter 'V'
by Pamela Anthony, Freelance
Edmonton Journal, November 7, 2007
EDMONTON - This weekend's Citie Ballet performance will be brought to you by the letter "V."
"V" is for Vice Versa, a new work from William Thompson and Francois Chevennenent. "V" is also for La Vivandiere, a classical work with music from, you guessed it, Johann Vahnal. There will also be a premiere from the company's resident choreographer Solveig Groenland to the music of Peteris Vask. Needless to say, a violinist will be playing during the intervals.
"It all started with the letter V, and once I began looking into the music, I (discovered) I loved the music I found," Chevennenent says. "It just went from there."
The program features classical, modern and "in-between" dance styles.
"My goal is to show the variety of styles of the company. I want to keep the ballet tradition, and to show the modern, and also my style, which is somewhere in between. I'm not sure what to call it -- I love dance, so whatever people want to call me they can. I'm a dance lover."
One of the featured works, Vice Versa, is a study in contrasting styles. It's collaboration between Chevennenent and former artistic director William Thompson.
"It's called Vice Versa because we're two different generations, with different perspectives, and we play with that. It shows the contrast -- he picks up a certain movement in the music, and he's more theatrical with humour. I pick up on the music in a different way, and my movement has less mime. It's interesting -- it all comes out to be together."
He's also thrilled to be presenting a new modern piece from Solveig Groenland, who has been involved with the company for five years.
"I knew Solveig from before and I did like her work. I wanted to give her a little challenge, so I kind gave her the music and roughly in what direction I wanted to work I wanted to step out from the big group dance she usually does and work on solo and pas de deux. I'm very pleased.
"Ventriloquist refers to the fact that there are two main dancers, and the rest of the dancers echo them, they show a residue of the movement."
The evening will also include an homage to David Adams, a Canadian dance great who recently died.
"He was Canada's first male principal dancers, and he was so influential -- he left behind so many good things. He'll be remembered well."
Chevennenent says he's pleased with how Citie Ballet is progressing, with successful shows, lots of new work and four new dancers.
"Last year, we had a really good year. The thing now is the pressure to keep going strong."
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