Major ballet production includes First Nation talent

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Traditional Coast Salish drumbeats mixed with pirouettes and pixie dust in Ballet Victoria's production of Peter Pan.

For the first time on the West Coast, First Nations were a part of a major ballet production. Combining traditional First Nations dance movements with classical ballet, jazz dance, hiphop, Chinese contemporary, and rhythmic gymnastics, Ballet Victoria toured its ground-breaking production around Vancouver Island last month to rave reviews.

Ballet Victoria's main production for the winter 2003-2004 is the classic tale of Peter Pan, told with a new twist. Esquimalt First Nation singers and dancers were cast to dance alongside prima ballerinas, hiphop artists and gymnasts in the latest adaptation of Sir James Matthew Barrie's century-old fantasy tale.

"It has been a lot of fun working with all these different dancers and choreographers since last August," said leader Augie Thomas. "It's really great to share our cultures like this, and we've all learned a lot from each other through this," he said.

In their role, the 12 First Nations singers and dancers from Esquimalt's Thomas family lose their princess to the evil Captain Hook, and join together with Peter Pan, Wendy, Peter, Michael and the Lost Kids to rescue her from Skull Rock.

"There is a huge tradition of Native culture around us, and Peter Pan provided a great opportunity for us to bring that to the ballet stage," said Jacquie Sloan, Ballet Victoria's artistic director.

"The Thomas family has been so generous in sharing their songs and dances with us. There's a lot more to what they do than what we do as their dances are so very spiritual; whereas, ours are more athletic and intellectual," she said.

Peter Pan played to very appreciative audiences starting in Nanaimo on Jan. 24, before moving on to Duncan on Jan.29 and a successful run in Victoria from Feb. 5 through 7 at the elegant McPherson Playhouse.

"It's been really great working together, and it's really important to show we can all live and work together," said Sloan. "I've really enjoyed watching all the dancers perform so well on stage, and become such good friends off-stage," she said.