Ballet Jörgen, Canada’s fifth-largest ballet company, is poised to unveil a spellbinding new production: a Canadian-inspired adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, set to Mendelssohn’s lyrical music and infused with the magic of the North. This imaginative reworking unfolds amidst the shimmering aurora borealis and iconic native wildlife, offering audiences a uniquely Canadian twist on the beloved tale.

This adaptation transports Shakespeare’s whimsical comedy to the forests and tundra of northern Canada, where fairies cavort beneath the Northern Lights and woodland creatures like moose, beavers, bears, and squirrels come alive in imaginative choreography. The production is anchored in a fascinating historical reference—the 1951 cross-country tour of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh—adding a layer of cultural resonance and national pride.

• January 8 – 9, 2026 | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm | WORLD PREMIERE
  Oakville Centre 130 Navy Street, Oakville, Ontario
• January 11, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
  River Run Centre 35 Woolwich St, Guelph, Ontario
• January 17, 2026 | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
  Chrysler Theatre 201 Riverside Dr W, Windsor, Ontario
• January 23, 2026 | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
  Markham Theatre 171 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham, Ontario
• May 24, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
  Aultsville Theatre 2 St. Lawrence Dr, Cornwall, Ontario

Timeless Story, Breath-of-Fresh-Air Setting

At its core, the narrative remains Shakespeare’s lighthearted comedy: four Athenians lost in a magical forest, manipulated by mischievous fairies and Puck’s playful interventions. Yet in Ballet Jörgen’s adaptation, the enchanted forest is no longer an abstract woodland—it is the Canadian North, vibrant, wild, and full of character. Audiences of all ages are sure to be charmed by this family-friendly reimagining.

The Creative Minds at Work

Choreographed by Artistic Director and co-founder Bengt Jörgen, C.M., who was appointed Member of the Order of Canada in 2019, this ballet underscores his visionary talent and dedication to infusing classical ballet with distinct Canadian flair. The famed score by Felix Mendelssohn—blending his 1827 concert overture with the 1843 incidental music, including the celebrated “Wedding March”—provides a familiar yet evocative musical foundation.

The artistic team features stage direction and dramatic coaching by Heinar Piller, renowned for decades of work in Canadian theatre; Sue LePage, an award-winning set and costume designer whose designs have graced Stratford and the Shaw Festival; and Madhu, a Tamil-Canadian lighting designer whose poetic approach brings an immersive glow to the stage (Jörgen Dance).

A Warm Invitation

With a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, including an intermission, this ballet promises an enchanting experience that blends warmth, wonder, and Canadian identity in equal measure. Ballet Jörgen’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream doesn’t just retell a beloved story—it rekindles it under the aurora, with a uniquely Canadian heartbeat. Audiences are invited to lose themselves among fairies, magic, and Northern landscapes like never before.

About Ballet Jörgen

Ballet Jörgen is a vibrant Canadian ballet company based in Toronto, founded in 1987 by Bengt Jörgen and Susan Bodie to champion Canadian choreography. As the only major Canadian company performing exclusively original works, it tours extensively—bringing ballet to all ten provinces, engaging urban and rural communities alike Celebrated for the warmth, humour, and beauty of its productions, Ballet Jörgen also supports emerging choreographers and offers education and outreach programmes, making ballet accessible and relevant to 21st-century audiences.