New Group of Seven Nutcracker
Tara Butler: Ballet Jörgen Dancer on Stage, Sets, and Sue LePage
Jan 7, 2009
How is the new show versus the various stages. Have you had to adjust choreography?
Tara Butler: "Absolutely. There are always things that involve the set. There is a specific thing that we are involved in in the battle scenes, and we need to use the set and in a few places we have been able to use the entire set. We have had to re choreograph sections that are not tremendously difficult to change, but it still takes time. We have to say 'What is happening tonight?' What version are we doing this time?'
That tends to be easier to do when it is a production that you know really well, because we never have enough rehearsal time. We open this show going, we think we know what we are doing… and then you go to the next stage and it is a completely different wing space, so we don’t have room to bring this set on so we will use another one instead. It is exciting but we are constantly thinking on our feet."
Yes.... thinking on your point shoes… and how are the various stages on your feet?
Tara Butler: "One thing about touring in Canada in the winter, is that there are old theatres, and most of them are really drafty. The feet can be an issue and I am not exactly a spring chicken as far as dancers go, and – touch wood – I have been really lucky and not too apt to injury. But the harder the stage, the more you feel it the next day. I have been touring with this company for a long time and we tour all over Canada.
Bengt and I laugh sometimes, because we know these stages so well. We know we will need a massage or a hot bath the next day. It’s not too bad but we are so busy thinking at this point to actually feel the impact, that that usually hits us days later."
You are working with Sue LePage….
Tara Butler: "The costumes for The Nutcracker are entirely different because Sue LePage has worked more in a theatre environment and she did Anastasia as well. Moving into dance has been a completely different thing for her but it gives a unique edge to this production because it is not based purely in dance. There have been a couple of wrinkles to iron out but the sets are fantastic and the costumes are quite lovely. We have had a few things that we have had to revamp. It’s very different than what audiences expect when they see The Nutcracker."
Are you reprising the role of The Sugar Plum Fairy?
Tara Butler: "This year I have played quite a few different roles. In this version, the Sugar Plum fairy also plays the teacher in the party scene, which is really special for me because the party takes place in a one room schoolhouse, and my grandmother who passed away this year ,taught in a one room school house up in Gravenhurst, (Ontario). So that’s very close to my heart and it is kind of a nice little connection there.
I play the Snow Queen, which I have often played. I‘ve also played a few miscellaneous characters in Act One's party scene. When we switched casts, we realized we had another cast, so we thought who is missing in what part? So again, it is last minute learning, but it’s fine. The thing is, I had done the old Nutcracker for 13 years, not that I was uninspired, but when you know what you doing, it does get a little humdrum, so it is very exciting to do this new production. After so many shows, it still feels brand new, which is great. No one is bored at all because we never know what is going to happen next."
In the final part of this series Tara Butler chats about her next role, Ballet Jorgen versus the economy, and her favorite part of the new Nutcracker.
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