CBYE Media Releases

Feb 16, 2009

Celebrating the Family Spirit - Cuban National Ballet Performs Hansel and Gretel at Hamilton Place

Pastor Valle-Garay
Senior Scholar, York University

Hamilton, Canada - Hansel and Gretel is a unique, unusual fairy tale. It defies time and imagination. It has moved many world institutions to establish foundations to help abused children. It carries a powerful, tender message of love and of compassion among siblings and families. In a timely and beautiful fashion it fits nicely with Canada’s national celebration of Family Day on February 16.

First published by brothers Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm in 19th century Germany, Hansel and Gretel vividly portrays the triumph of the human spirit over the hardships of famine, war and child abandonment in medieval life. For nearly two hundred years children all over the world have heard the bedtime story. It frightened and delighted them. It also taught them that good always triumphs over evil. Retold and printed countless of times, the fable inspired operas and movies. It has also become a timeless tribute to the Brothers Grimm whose extraordinary foresight and creativity also gave the world’s children such classics as Rumpelstiltskin, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and Cinderella.

Now, it’s story-time at Hamilton. Staged among lush, surreal forest settings and lavishly interpreted by the Cuban National Ballet in partnership with the Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble, the Hansel and Gretel ballet comes alive at Hamilton Place on February 26.  In a radical departure from traditional theatre the dancers in both companies are dedicating the show “to the underprivileged children of the world who spend their daily lives hunting for meagre findings in the artificial forests of the developed world,” according to Belma Gurdil-Diamante, CEO of the Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble.

Such noble purpose makes the presentation of Hansel and Gretel both an auspicious and inevitable occasion: inevitable because the Cuban National Ballet has carved a rather special niche in the heart of the city, its home away from home. Auspicious because once again its founder and artistic director Prima Ballerina Assoluta Alicia Alonso is sending us the very best of her company with brilliant dancer and choreographer Eduardo Blanco and gifted ballet master Kenia García heading the star-studded cast.

The uniquely Cuban version of Hansel and Gretel obviously reflects Alicia’s profound beliefs on family values and human kindness. It also inspired the decision of both ensembles to honour children everywhere. Such values have justly earned international accolades to the tightly-knit family of Cuban dancers. Already recognized among the best five ballet companies in the world, the Cuban National Ballet takes just as much pride in striving for perfection as they do in performing for the less fortunate at home and abroad as they did in Cuba immediately after hurricanes devastated the island last summer. With this generous spirit in body and soul, we are in for a spectacular treat. Hansel and Gretel will provide a brilliant showcase for the talented performers from both nations and an unforgettable evening for the audience.

“We are absolutely thrilled to host the Cuban National Ballet in Hamilton again,” said Gurdil-Diamante, “Every one of their performances is a major contribution to the cultural fabric of the city and of Canada. In fact, the partnership between the Cuban National Ballet and the Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble is the stuff of dreams. As far as master choreographer Eduardo Blanco is concerned, he is an absolute genius. From him we expect nothing but the best. People will fall in love with his inspirational pageantry and will certainly remember his artistic, creative choreography for years to come.”

A Special School Matinee of Hansel and Gretel will be performed at Hamilton Place on Thursday, February 26 at 10:30 AM. School tickets can be ordered online or by calling 905-512-1453.

On Thursday, February 26 Hansel and Gretel’s Public Performance will take place at 7:30 PM at Hamilton Place. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.ca, phones (905) 527-7666, (905) 546-4040 or www.hecfi .ca