Ballet Jorgen’s Anne of Green Gables The Ballet
May 17, 2024 | 8:00 PM
May 18, 2024 | 2:00 PM
Flato Markham Theatre
Back by popular demand! After hosting the World Premiere in October 2019, Flato Markham Theatre welcomes back Ballet Jorgen’s Anne of Green Gables –The Ballet® to its stage to delight audiences once again. Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet® is a playful, colourful and evocative production that will transport audiences to early 20th century Atlantic Canada. Based on the beloved Canadian novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet® follows the adventures of Anne Shirley, an orphan girl sent to live on a farm in the fictional town of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island.
Synopsis
Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery (published as L. M. Montgomery). Written for all ages, it has been considered a children’s novel since the mid-twentieth century. It recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan girl who is mistakenly sent to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a middle-aged brother and sister who had intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in the fictional town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. The novel recounts how Anne makes her way with the Cuthberts, in school, and within the town.
Anne Shirley, a young orphan from the fictional community of Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia (based upon the real community of New London, Prince Edward Island), is sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, siblings in their fifties and sixties, after a childhood spent in strangers’ homes and orphanages. Marilla and Matthew had originally decided to adopt a boy from the orphanage to help Matthew run their farm at Green Gables, which is set in the fictional town of Avonlea. Through a misunderstanding, the orphanage sends Anne instead.
Anne is highly imaginative, eager to please and, at times, quite a dramatic individual. However, she is defensive about her appearance, despising her red hair and pale, thin frame. She is often quite talkative, especially when it comes to describing her fantasies and dreams. At first, stern and sharp Marilla says Anne must return to the orphanage, but after much observation and considering, along with Matthew’s strong liking to Anne, she decides to let her stay.
As a child of imagination, Anne takes much joy in life and adapts quickly, thriving in the close-knit farming village. Her imagination and talkativeness soon brighten up Green Gables.
Original Choreography by Bengt Jörgen, C.M.
Based on Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™
Music composed by Norman Campbell
Ballet Score Arranged by Alexander Levkovich
Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet® is made possible by Margaret Fountain, C.M. &
David Fountain, C.M
Set & Costume Design by Sue LePage
Original Lighting Design by Rebecca Picherack
Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet® and other indicia of Anne are trademarks and Canadian
official marks of the Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority Inc., Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, used under licence by Canada’s Ballet Jörgen.
About Canada’s Ballet Jörgen
Canada’s Ballet Jörgen delivers programming in all 10 of Canada’s provinces as well as into the United States. Every year the Company tours from coast to coast travelling over 50,000 km to reach underserved communities. Canada’s Ballet Jörgen enriches our lives by bringing professional ballet to communities — large and small, urban and rural.
Known for the warmth and beauty of its productions, CBJ reaches every province, delivering more than 1,500 performances, ballet classes and community engagement events involving over 60,000 participants annually.