Between the two casts of The Nutcracker and the numerous shows in Montreal and Ottawa, around 150 children take part in the production. They are delighted to rehearse under the supervision of André Laprise, the appointed children's rehearsal Master.
Les Grands Ballets Canadiens’s rendition of The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition performed every season at Place des Arts since 1964.
After two years of absence, the children will be back on stage for the first act – including the famous Christmas scene where Clara receives her nutcracker – and the show will therefore be presented in its entirety.
Dozens of young dancers aged 6-17 are featured in the production. They were selected through auditions in collaboration with l’École supérieure du ballet du Québec for the shows in Montreal, and the Académie de danse de l’Outaouais for the shows in Ottawa.
Chosen from among the hundreds who audition each year, these talented performers appear as the Mice, Rats, Angels, Reindeer, Matrioshkas, Sheep and in the Coffee scene.
“The best job” of the season
André Laprise was first assistant to choreographer Fernand Nault during 25 years on productions of The Nutcracker. He’s also a former GBC dancer, and a graduate of the École supérieure de ballet du Québec. Each year, André supervises the staging of the ballet and spends time “refining each of the roles for the kids,” he says. “In terms of training, I’m here to stimulate them, even in the lesser roles.”
A true Christmas classic, The Nutcracker ballet is based on the story written by E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816. Although what is seen on the stage today is different in detail from the original story, the basic plot remains the same: a young girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against The King of the Rats.
Nault brilliantly conceived this tale of magic and adventure, Laprise says. “He always wanted the ballet to be accessible and touch as many children as possible. This is a piece for everyone.” The dancing, the Tchaikovsky music, the sets by Peter Horne, costumes by Francois Barbeau, and lighting by Nicholas Cernovitch, create a total experience. Laprise says The Nutcracker is “a dynamic family atmosphere. It’s part of our DNA.”
Laprise is thrilled that new audiences will experience the holiday season’s favourite. Enormous amounts of time and work goes into producing all the glitz and glamour that is The Nutcracker, but he isn’t shy to say that he has “the best job” of the season.
