T’əl: The Wild Man of the Woods and Carmina Burana

Description

Choreography by Vernon’s own dance prodigy Cameron Fraser-Monroe, “T’əl (“Tull”), is a powerful fusion of Indigenous storytelling, contemporary ballet, and classical music—rooted in tradition and elevated for the stage.” -The Globe and Mail.

T’əl: The Wild Man of the Woods marks a bold new chapter in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s repertoire with this west-coast première that unfolds an Indigenous legend through the lens of a fully Indigenous creative team.

Narrated in both English and Ayajuthem by Elder Elsie Paul, the story follows a fearless young woman who sets out to rescue her sister from T’əl, a dark figure who steals children under the cover of night. The evocative original score is composed by JUNO-nominated, Cris Derksen, a Two-Spirit cellist and composer. With stunning costume design by Asa Benally (Navajo designer and Yale alumnus), T’əl is a powerful fusion of movement, music, and storytelling that honours the richness of oral tradition.

Paired with one of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s most requested productions, Carmina Burana that is “a feast for the senses—visually stunning, musically absorbing, and emotionally pounding.” Choreographed by internationally acclaimed artist Mauricio Wainrot, this electrifying work fuses bold, athletic movement with Carl Orff’s cantata to create a visceral experience that transcends traditional storytelling.

Each scene pulses with energy and emotion, shifting seamlessly between moments of erratic intensity, tender romanticism, and unabashed sensuality. With sculptural lighting and costuming, and an ensemble of dancers moving as one powerful organism, Carmina Burana becomes more than performance—it becomes like ritual.

This Double Bill production from Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet features a company of 26 dancers and without doubt, an unforgettable Dance Series spectacle.