The show will feature mini performances from ballets such as Swan Lake, La Flute Magique, Little Red Riding Hood, Pas de Quatre, the Sleeping Beauty prologue and Brahms' Hungarian Dances, as well as light refreshments, and a chance to meet both the directors and company dancers after the performance.
The new company, directed by Roberta Taylor and Graham McMonagle, has launched its first season with an Island tour of communities from Campbell River to Sooke.
"We are halfway through the tour, we've done the North Island and it's really been lovely," said McMonagle.
"The public response has been great and people have been thrilled to see us coming to their community. The biggest question we get is, 'When will you be back?'"
He says the show is about an hour, "if you don't clap," and features nine dancers.
There are two shows today at the Leonardo Da Vinci Centre, then on Friday the company will perform at 7 p.m. in Edward Milne Community Theatre, in Sooke (380-2522); on Saturday the dancers will be in Charlie White Theatre in Sidney at 2 and 6 p.m. (656-0275) and on Sunday they are at ArtSpring Theatre on Saltspring Island, at 1 and 4:30 p.m. (toll-free at 1-866-537-2102).
Taylor and McMonagle both have had extensive dancing careers in Canada and the United States. Taylor was with the Empire State Ballet in Buffalo, New York, for 13 years, then performed with McMonagle at Columbus Dance Theatre. McMonagle, who is also a designer and specialist in tutu construction, has made all the costumes for the debut show. There are 23 in all and some took up to 100 hours to make.
The company's next show, May 30 at the McPherson Playhouse, will be the full-ength ballet La Flute Magique. "It's a very Gainsborough-looking ballet with lots of French blue, petticoats and florals."
Glitwin@tc.Canwest.Com
