A child stands in the cold, striking matches, while the city hurries past. Nearly two centuries after Hans Christian Andersen wrote The Little Match Girl, Belle Spirale Dance Projects and the Vancouver Chamber Choir bring the story to the Vancouver Playhouse for two performances on November 13 and 14.
Sixteen singers perform David Lang’s Pulitzer Prize-winning choral score alongside ten dancers, with voice and movement sharing the stage throughout the production.
The performances mark the North American premiere of Kevin O’Day’s choreography for The Little Match Girl. Guest artist Alba Nadal, formerly of the Royal Danish Ballet, joins the cast.
“What excites me most about this collaboration is how naturally Lang’s music and O’Day’s choreography speak to one another,” says Vancouver Chamber Choir Artistic Director Kari Turunen.
The partnership also builds on a longstanding creative relationship. O’Day and Belle Spirale’s Sylvain Senez first worked together at Ballet BC in 2009.
“Kevin has been both mentor and creative north star,” says Senez.
The set features 29 rolling towers that reposition throughout the performance, accompanied by images of flames, snowflakes, and floating clouds.
The story’s themes of poverty and vulnerability extend into the lobby, where Covenant House Vancouver will host educational tables about its work with youth experiencing homelessness. The partnership offers audiences a connection between Andersen’s tale and the challenges young people face in Vancouver today.
Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton Street, with a pre-show talk with the choir at 7 p.m. The production is suitable for ages 12 and up. Tickets available online.
