Ballet Manila artists guest in Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Ballet Manila, the Philippines’ most acclaimed classical dance company, will be represented by three of its leading artists in the much-anticipated staging of Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker.

BM principal dancers Katherine Barkman and Rudy de Dios, along with soloist Mark Sumaylo, have been invited as guest artists for the Vancouver-based company’s critically acclaimed production of the beloved holiday classic, where they will dance the roles of the Snow Queen, the Snow King, and the Nutcracker Prince, respectively. In a recent social media statement, Goh Ballet said it is “delighted to announce an artistic collaboration with Ballet Manila for this year’s production… and we are so excited their dancers will be adding their artistry and experience to our stage.”

Performances are scheduled from December 15 to 20 at The Centre in Vancouver, with an international cast led by principals from the National Ballet of Canada, Jurgita Dronina and Guillame Cote, and live orchestral accompaniment performed by the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.

Ballet Manila artistic director and prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde says she is very pleased  by this development. “We are reaching out not just locally but internationally with our mission and vision of ballet for the people,” she remarks, citing her company’s long-cherished dream of popularizing classical ballet to a mass audience. The Russian-trained Macuja-Elizalde — the first and only Filipina to become a soloist of the Kirov Ballet — founded Ballet Manila in 1995 with 11 young dancers. The company has since grown into one of the most formidable arts organizations in the Philippines, famously known for training its artists exclusively in the Vaganova technique and its unparalleled brilliance in staging classical works.

Macuja-Elizalde extends her gratitude to Goh Ballet artistic director Ms. Chan-hon Goh for inviting her company’s dancers to join The Nutcracker’s esteemed roster of international guest artists. “These guest performances can only be good for Ballet Manila since more people will become aware of the standards we have of classical ballet here in the Philippines — that we are globally competitive, very talented, and able to keep up with the highest of international standards of excellence,” she states.

For tickets and information, visit their website at www.gohnutcracker.com or check out @GohBalletNutcracker on social media.