Ballet Victoria will close out its 11th season with yet another original from the prolific Paul Destrooper. The artistic director is heading to the past to reimagine Sure-Shot Annie Oakley into a graceful yet tough as nails star of a western show. Annie’s Rodeo will be the highlight of the mixed program ballet on the Charlie White Theatre stage Sunday July 12 at 2:00 pm.

The program of Annie’s Rodeo and Other Works will begin with a beautifully haunting solo, created for dancer Bethany Le Corre the music of Arvo Pärt. “Bethany has grown amazingly as a dancer,” said Destrooper. “Taking local dancers and nurturing their talent to a point where they are prepared to take centre here and in the rest of the world is something we are very proud to say we accomplish at Ballet Victoria.”

Then a primal and physically demanding duet performed by principal dancers, Andrea Bayne and Matthew Cluff to another work by Arvo Pärt. “Andrea and Matthew have paired beautifully for two years now,” Destrooper commented. “An audience favourite, they are elegantly athletic, supremely talented and a joy to watch.”

The company then takes to the stage with an explosion of colour and fierce choreography with the best of Don Quixote, one of the most extraordinary classical ballets wherein the charged music of Leon Minkus drives the dancers with a Spanish flair.

Then it is the premiere of the new story ballet, Annie’s Rodeo. Bethany’s first lead will be featured in this one-act comedic turn incorporating music from Aaron Copeland’s Rodeo with a few musical gems from unexpected sources such as spaghetti westerns and/or favourite TV shows of the era.

Annie’s Rodeo and Other Works, from classic dance to classic westerns, this program offers above all to be fast and fun!