Where September October 2018 WhereSepOct18_Digital | Page 9

2013. Tara Birtwhistle, associate artistic director,
attests it perfectly befits this season’s theme, with
main character Offred as the heroine of her own
story. It’s also a significant story today and a well-
crafted, emotional ballet.
Strong characters continue to take centre stage
throughout the season’s well-known stories. Stunning
costumes, impressive sword fighting and a powerful
performance breathe fresh life into the dramatic story
of Romeo & Juliet, while the Canadian première of
Wizard of Oz promises to tell this classic tale through
choreographer Septime Webre’s creative movements.
Showcasing popular stories brings audiences in.
“In dance, there’s often no story—it’s just a feeling,”
Birtwhistle says. “If (people) know the story and they
get that feeling, then I think it’s an artistic experience
for them.”
TALK OF THE TOWN
The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s roster
features both popular stories and popular topics
during its season of thinking, where every production
is thought-provoking, artistic director Steven Schipper
explains. Even the comedies cover topics that
encourage post-play conversation and banter.
The romantic comedy Sense and Sensibility
has its world première Oct 18-Nov 10 on the
John Hirsch Mainstage. The story, adapted by
local playwright Ellen Peterson, is entertaining and
humorous while still covering substantial matters of
class and society.
A popular Christmas story about sacrifice and
hope, It’s A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play hits
the mainstage this holiday season. Marking an
important milestone, this production is Schipper’s
final time directing an MTC play as artistic director.
It’s his final season with the company, a position
he’s held for 30 years—longer than any other MTC
artistic director.
He’s going full force into his final season,
overseeing this year’s productions, which include a
musical adaptation of the beloved children’s classic,
Roald Dahl’s Matilda, and the Tom Hendry
Warehouse season opener Vietgone, which tells a
story of immigration to America from Vietnam.
Sharing popular stories—whether they are classic
tales or contain current themes—attracts audiences,
inviting them in to see productions they may not
have otherwise known about.
“They’ll enjoy the pleasure of entering into an
exciting or unusual world they would have otherwise
missed,” Schipper says.
Tara Birtwhistle
Associate Artistic Director,
Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Steven Schipper
Artistic Director,
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre
SepTemBer/ocToBer 2018
where.ca
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