Photo: Dean Palmer
Dancetheatre David
Earle
Canadian Children's
Dance Theatre
Court of Miracles
is a unique and magical evening of dance-theatre, rich in medieval
music and pageantry, presented by a cast of 50 dancers and acrobats.
David Earle conceived this production after reading Victor Hugo's
novel, "Notre Dame de Paris". Hugo wrote about a quarter
in Paris in the Middle Ages, called the Court of Miracles, in which
the inhabitants gained their livelihoods by gainfully using their
imaginations.
The production takes place during the feast
of St. Nicholas, where we are entertained by a fascinating assortment
of characters. Through a series of lively tableaux, including a
wedding, a gypsy dance, a miracle play and an unusual feast, the
performance captures the romance and struggle of medieval life and
celebrates the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
David Earle writes: "Court of
Miracles was created to offer, in the season of light, a true
representation of the values that precious time was meant to celebrate:
generosity, compassion, gratitude, and Joy! Act I is a pageant,
a parade of humanity in Europe in the middle ages with all its follies
and foibles, and its vital appetite for existance. Act II portrays
the sadness and loneliness of age, and then reveals possible miracles,
transformation,celebration, and the dignity that comes only from
the soul. Generosity, compassion, gratitude, dignity......and Joy,
when in the year 2002 did we last hear these words spoken? Court
of Miracles is more timely, more needed than ever before! "
Performed from 1983 to 1994 by Earle's
former company, Toronto Dance Theatre, Court of
Miracles is
a show for everyone ... well produced and tightly directed, it's
an
evening
of gently heart-warming music and dance, and a welcome addition
to the seasonal bill of family entertainment.
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