By popular demand, Vancouver Island’s own professional ballet company is returning to the stage at the Port Hardy Civic Centre, presenting A Midsummer Night’s Dream (and other works). 

Many will remember studying or seeing Shakespeare’s fabulous comedy involving magical creatures and lovers:  in the forest, Oberon, king of fairies, and his queen Titania, vie for the attention of Puck’s new friend, a changeling. In an attempt to have all the changeling’s time for herself, Titania hurries away with the magical child; prompting Oberon to plot for revenge. Watching close by, two young couples navigate their own quirks of confused and fickle desire when both men mystically fall in love with one of the two women.

(Come and see the show for how it all works out!)  The performance also includes a new work by Andrea Bayne and an extra surprise. Founded in 2002, Ballet Victoria is a boutique professional ballet company with 14 dancers and four yearly productions. Their performances are dramatic, technically demanding, and often laced with humour.  Under the direction of Paul Destrooper, Ballet Victoria’s artistic team is constantly exploring new territory.  

Ballet Victoria has produced close to 100 new works, including 10 full length ballets, and toured in Canada, the USA and Mexico.  Music creates an uncompromising range of choreographies, from Baroque music to rock, from opera to folk songs. The result: pure magic:  fascinating and delightful.

Paul Destrooper gave Victoria a new national cultural voice in dance by presenting and creating ballets with a unique artistic flair.  Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, Paul brings to Ballet Victoria his extensive experience from a successful international dance career working with world renowned directors, dancers and choreographers.  

He joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1993 upon graduating from the school’s Professional Division with awards and scholarships. He was a principal dancer with Alberta Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theatre.  Paul’s choreography focuses on shaping seamless movements from the classical and contemporary vocabularies to reflect musicality and trigger emotion.  He has choreographed over 30 works and 10 full-length ballets to glowing reviews from critics and audiences all over North America.  Paul has created works, taught and coached for professional companies and schools including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Ballet BC, Ballet Kelowna, Edmonton City Ballet, Northwest Professional Dance Project, the Okanagan Summer Dance Intensive and Arc Dance Company.

The performance is at Port Hardy Civic Centre, May 10, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available at Cafe Guido, Island Dawn’s in Port McNeill, and from Gail Neely in Port Alice.  Tickets and further information can also be obtained by phoning 250-956-0452.

By Brenda Fleeton

By popular demand, Vancouver Island’s own professional ballet company is returning to the stage at the Port Hardy Civic Centre, presenting A Midsummer Night’s Dream (and other works). 

Many will remember studying or seeing Shakespeare’s fabulous comedy involving magical creatures and lovers:  in the forest, Oberon, king of fairies, and his queen Titania, vie for the attention of Puck’s new friend, a changeling. In an attempt to have all the changeling’s time for herself, Titania hurries away with the magical child; prompting Oberon to plot for revenge. Watching close by, two young couples navigate their own quirks of confused and fickle desire when both men mystically fall in love with one of the two women.

(Come and see the show for how it all works out!)  The performance also includes a new work by Andrea Bayne and an extra surprise. Founded in 2002, Ballet Victoria is a boutique professional ballet company with 14 dancers and four yearly productions. Their performances are dramatic, technically demanding, and often laced with humour.  Under the direction of Paul Destrooper, Ballet Victoria’s artistic team is constantly exploring new territory.  

Ballet Victoria has produced close to 100 new works, including 10 full length ballets, and toured in Canada, the USA and Mexico.  Music creates an uncompromising range of choreographies, from Baroque music to rock, from opera to folk songs. The result: pure magic:  fascinating and delightful.

Paul Destrooper gave Victoria a new national cultural voice in dance by presenting and creating ballets with a unique artistic flair.  Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, Paul brings to Ballet Victoria his extensive experience from a successful international dance career working with world renowned directors, dancers and choreographers.  

He joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1993 upon graduating from the school’s Professional Division with awards and scholarships. He was a principal dancer with Alberta Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theatre.  Paul’s choreography focuses on shaping seamless movements from the classical and contemporary vocabularies to reflect musicality and trigger emotion.  He has choreographed over 30 works and 10 full-length ballets to glowing reviews from critics and audiences all over North America.  Paul has created works, taught and coached for professional companies and schools including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Ballet BC, Ballet Kelowna, Edmonton City Ballet, Northwest Professional Dance Project, the Okanagan Summer Dance Intensive and Arc Dance Company.

The performance is at Port Hardy Civic Centre, May 10, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available at Cafe Guido, Island Dawn’s in Port McNeill, and from Gail Neely in Port Alice.  Tickets and further information can also be obtained by phoning 250-956-0452.