Vancouver, BC – For the first time in a decade, Vancouver audiences will have the opportunity to see Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Canada’s longest-running ballet company, perform repertoire outside of their annual Nutcracker performance. The company arrives February 9 and 10 with a powerhouse double bill: the modern classic Carmina Burana and the West Coast premiere of T’əl: The Wild Man of the Woods, a contemporary Indigenous-led ballet by choreographer Cameron sinkʷə Fraser-Monroe (Tla’amin).
The evening opens with Carmina Burana, RWB’s high-voltage signature work. The visceral, athletic, sensuous ballet is set to Carl Orff’s iconic score and choreographed by Mauricio Wainrot. Expect big ensemble moments, sharp physicality, and a sweep of moods from ferocity to tenderness. The company has performed this work for more than twenty years, and it remains an audience favourite.
The evening performance will conclude with the West Coast premiere of the contemporary, Indigenous-led work T’əl: The Wild Man of the Woods, choreographed by BC’s own Cameron sinkʷə Fraser-Monroe, a member of the Tla’amin Nation in qathet (Powell River) and an alumnus of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. The evening-length ballet was created from the oral history shared by Elder Elsie Paul (Tla’amin). Told in English and Ayajuthem, the story follows a young woman on a dangerous journey to rescue her sister from T’əl, a shadowy figure from the night world. The work blends Indigenous storytelling with contemporary ballet and a new score by JUNO-nominated, two-spirit composer Cris Derksen (NorthTall Cree) and costumes by designer Asa Benally (Diné). The premiere introduces an Indigenous-led creative team on one of Canada’s major ballet stages.
For Fraser-Monroe, who trained at the RWB School and grew up in BC, this homecoming matters. He’s danced and choreographed across the country, but bringing T’əl back to its place of origin is a full-circle moment. The ballet debuted in 2024 to strong critical praise and continues to build momentum as it moves west.
The tour includes stops across BC (Powell River, Chilliwack, Vernon, Salt Spring Island, Courtenay, and Nanaimo) before closing in Vancouver at The Centre on Homer Street. Vancouver performances begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets range from $51 to $109, with discounts for students, seniors, and groups, plus a Pay What You Can option for Indigenous patrons using code COMMUNITY. For full details and to purchase tickets, visit rwb.org.
About Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) teaches, creates, and performs—enriching lives through the transformative power of exceptional dance. With a legacy spanning over 85 years, the RWB is recognized for its versatility, technical brilliance, and captivating performance style. Now under the artistic leadership of Christopher Stowell, an internationally respected choreographer and arts leader, the RWB is entering an exciting new chapter—one that honours its legacy while embracing innovation and contemporary voices in dance.
In addition to its renowned Company, the RWB is home to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, which includes the Professional Division—an internationally respected training ground for aspiring professional dancers and dance educators—and the Recreational Division, Winnipeg’s largest dance school, welcoming students of all ages, levels, and interests.
Links
- T’əl: The Wild Man of the Woods on Tour | link
- Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet | RWB.org
- The Centre Vancouver, 777 Homer Street | link
- Cameron sinkʷə Fraser-Monroe (Tla’amin), choroegrapher, dancer, director | Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance | Instagram
- Cris Derksen (North Tallcree Cree), cellist, composer | link
- Asa Benally (Diné), costume designer | link