Gala Performance
One Night Only
The MAD HOT BALLET Gala performance was a brilliant showcase of the best of ballet performed by the artists of The National Ballet of Canada. Artistic Director Karen Kain presented an hour-long performance of short works specially chosen for the occasion to highlight the exceptional artistry and talents of the National Ballet’s celebrated dancers.
Gala Programme and Casting
World Premiere Preview
Dialogue Dances
Choreography by Robert Binet
Performed by Xiao Nan Yu, Hannah Fischer, Skylar Campbell and Spencer Hack
With original Costume Design by Thomas Tait
Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux
Choreography by George Balanchine
Performed by Heather Ogden and Harrison James
Being and Nothingness Excerpt
Choreography by Guillaume Côté
Performed by Greta Hodgkinson and Ben Rudisin
La Sylphide Pas De Deux
Choreography by Erik Bruhn after August Bournonville
Performed by Jeannine Haller and Siphesihle November
The Merry Widow Act III Pas de Deux
Choreography by Ronald Hynd
Performed by Xiao Nan Yu and Guillaume Côté
Each year Karen Kain commissions a new work from a Canadian choreographer specifically for the gala performance. Thanks to a sponsorship from Suzanne Rogers and Rogers Communications, a Canadian designer is commissioned to design costumes for the new work. This special partnership began in 2017 with The Sea Above, The Sky Below, choreographed by Choreographic Associate Robert Binet, with costumes designed by Erdem Moralioglu. In 2018, Josh Beamish created Lollapalooza, with costumes designed by Jason Wu.