MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release
October 4, 2000

Ballet British Columbia’s The Faerie Queen Debuts at The Banff Centre

BANFF, AB - The Faerie Queen, a "fantasy in dance" by Ballet British Columbia’s choreographer and artistic director John Alleyne, will be seen for the first time anywhere in the Eric Harvie Theatre at The Banff Centre, on Saturday, October 21 at 8 pm. This work is based on Henry Purcell’s opera of the same name, and on Shakespeare’s magical comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The story was adapted for dance by Banff’s artistic director of Theatre Arts, playwright John Murrell. Purcell’s enchanting music has been selected and arranged by composers Owen Underhill and Michael Bushell.

Ballet British Columbia defines The Faerie Queen as its most significant artistic endeavour in a proud history of creation. According to John Alleyne, The Faerie Queen is an exploration of the contrasting elements of fantasy and reality - dark and light, mortal and immortal, male and female - and what happens when these powerful elements collide with one another.

John Murrell says that the Banff Centre’s Theatre Arts department is delighted to play a major role in the presentation of this innovative and imaginative production, which can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. Set and costumes for The Faerie Queen will be constructed at The Banff Centre during a three-week residency by Ballet British Columbia beginning October 2. Costume designer Kim Neilsen, set designer Darren Waterston and lighting designer Jean Philippe Trépanier, will utilize the resources of Banff’s Theatre Arts department to achieve the stylistic refinements required by this delicate and dazzling story of lovers and enemies, both natural and supernatural. "The residency," says Murrell, "is an excellent opportunity for these world-class artists to work closely together away from the distractions and pressures of their lives at home, in the splendid natural environment of the Canadian Rockies - which is ideal for inspiring their creation of the natural/supernatural world of The Faerie Queen."

The Faerie Queen is a co-production between Ballet British Columbia, The Banff Centre and The National Arts Centre of Canada. Tickets* for this performance are $21 for adults, $16 for seniors and students, and can be purchased through The Banff Centre Box Office at 1.800.413.8368 or 403.762.6301; or through any TicketMaster outlet.

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