Dracula to Take a Bite out of China

Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) announced that they would be returning to China for a whirlwind three-city tour from June 24 to July 4, 2004. The internationally renowned troupe will perform Mark Godden's wildly popular Dracula in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The RWB most recently performed in China during an eight-week international tour of Asia in 2001 when they performed to sold-out houses and critical acclaim throughout 15 cities in seven countries.

Set to the music of Gustav Mahler, Dracula features choreography by Mark Godden, original sets and costumes by Paul Daigle and original lighting by David Morrison. Mr. Godden is one of North Americas busiest independent choreographers, having recently created new ballets for Boston Ballet, Ballet Memphis and the RWB this past fall with the world premiere of The Magic Flute.

Since its world premiere in October 1998, Mark Godden s Dracula has toured throughout the world to acclaim from both audiences and critics. CBCs Arts Today called it, "an original story ballet that combines wit, intelligence, theatricality and fine dancing in one very entertaining package."

Highlights of the two performances in Beijing are the cooperation with the National Sports Foundation, and the farewell of RWB s Chinese Ballet Master Johnny W. Chang. The revenue of RWBs Beijing shows will be donated to the Sports Foundation to improve sports retirees  lives. After two decades in the limelight, Mr. Chang plans to farewell the stage after the China tour.

Date: 7:30pm, June 24-25

Venue: The Poly Theatre

Admission: TBD

For more information:

RWB website: www.rwb.org

Johnny. W Chang Bio:

http://www.rwb.org/company/artistic/johnny.html

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About Johnny W. Chang

Johnny W. Chang, formerly Zhang Wei-Qiang, joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as Principal Dancer in January 1992. Before joining the RWB, Chang was a freelance guest artist in Japan and Asia for five years. Formerly a Principal Dancer with the Central Ballet of China, Chang toured with the Central Ballet throughout the United States, the United Kingdom and the U.S.S.R.

Chang has won national and international medals for dance excellence, including a Bronze medal from the 2nd International Ballet Competition in Jackson, U.S.A (1982) and Second Prize from the 4th World Ballet Competition in Osaka, Japan (1984).

Chang has been a guest dancer on tour and home performances for the Houston Ballet, Japans Star Dancers Ballet and the Asami Maki Ballet Company, the Universal Ballet Company of Korea, The Hong Kong Ballet and the Goh Ballet in Canada. The principal roles in Chang s repertoire have included Giselle, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Raymonda, La Fille Mal Garde, Copplia, and La Sylphide, among others.