PRESS RELEASE
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet Announces 2026 BC Tour, Commencing in Powell River with Exhilarating Double Bill
— T’əl: The Wild Man of the Woods and Carmina Burana —
RWB’s anticipated presentation will include an historic West Coast premiere and a virtuosic classic
POWELL RIVER, BC — Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) announces the presentation of an electrifying double header, as part of its 2026 BC Tour, with the evocative West Coast premiere of the Indigenous-led T’əl: The Wild Man of the Woods, featured alongside the monumental favourite Carmina Burana, on stage January 27, 2026 at 7:30pm, at Evergreen Theatre (5001 Joyce Ave). This mesmerizing performance experience marks the Company’s first touring production to BC, aside from their annual Nutcracker presentation with Ballet BC in Vancouver, since their critically acclaimed premiere of Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation in 2016.
Early Bird tickets are now on sale. Audiences enjoy 20% off tickets until October 31 by visiting RWB.org.
“We are thrilled to be reunited with BC audiences this winter to present the West Coast premiere of the landmark production, T’əl: The Wild Man of the Woods, from one of Canada’s most visionary emerging choreographic talents, Cameron Fraser-Monroe, alongside one of RWB’s most popular and sought after works, Carmina Burana,” says Christopher Stowell, RWB Artistic Director. “This compelling program of two striking contemporary ballet works is wrought with passion and intensity that showcase the incredible artistry of our dancers. It is an immense privilege to present this powerful, hypnotic, and visually stunning double bill to our beloved West Coast audiences.”
Hailed as “a powerful fusion of Indigenous storytelling, contemporary ballet, and classical music—rooted in tradition and elevated for the stage (Globe and Mail)”, T’əl: The Wild Man of the Woods marks the first time in the Company’s history that the entire roster of creators is led by Indigenous artists. Choreographed by Fraser-Monroe, T’əl: The Wild Man of the Woods is based on a traditional tale from the creator’s home, the Tla’amin Nation in southwestern BC — and honours the rich legacy of oral tradition. Narrated in both English and Ayajuthem by 94-year old 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 Indigenous-led creative team features a score by JUNO-nominated, Two-Spirit cellist and composer Cris Derksen, and stunning costumes by New York-based Navajo designer and Yale-alumnus Asa Benally.
“Bringing together these diverse Indigenous voices behind a piece of my family’s history [was] a dream come true,” says Fraser-Monroe. “With each of us grounded in connection to community, and elevated by technical training in our craft, I couldn’t [have asked] for a better team of creatives.”
A signature work in RWB’s repertoire, Carmina Burana fuses bold, athletic movement with Carl Orff’s thunderous and evocative score to create a visceral experience that transcends traditional storytelling. Argentine choreographer Mauricio Wainrot’s artfully-staged vignettes capture the spirit of the orchestral masterpiece celebrating community and the joys of life. This high-octane work demands everything of its dancers as they move as one powerful organism, showcasing the sensual and explosive vitality of the company of artists, from its iconic opener Fortuna I, frequently heard in Hollywood film scores and ad jingles, through to stirring finale Fortuna II. Originally commissioned by the Royal Ballet of Flanders in Belgium in 1998, and given its Canadian premiere by the RWB in 2002, Carmina Burana is a stand-out favourite in the Company’s repertoire.
Early Bird Offer: Audiences enjoy 20% off tickets until October 31 by visiting RWB.org.
Tickets at: Ticketmaster.ca, information at RWB.org
RWB’s 2026 BC Tour also includes performances on:
- January 29 – Chilliwack, Hub International Theatre
- January 31 – Vernon, Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre
- February 3 – Salt Spring Island, ArtSpring
- February 5 – Courtenay, Sid Williams Theatre
- February 6 – Nanaimo, The Port Theatre
- February 9 & 10 – Vancouver, The Centre Vancouver
About Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB.org)
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) teaches, creates, and performs—enriching lives through the transformative power of exceptional dance. With a legacy spanning over 85 years, the RWB is recognized for its versatility, technical brilliance, and captivating performance style. Now under the artistic leadership of Christopher Stowell, an internationally respected choreographer and arts leader, the RWB is entering an exciting new chapter—one that honours its legacy while embracing innovation and contemporary voices in dance.
In addition to its renowned Company, the RWB is home to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, which includes the Professional Division—an internationally respected training ground for aspiring professional dancers and dance educators—and the Recreational Division, Winnipeg’s largest dance school, welcoming students of all ages, levels, and interests.
| LISTING INFORMATION | Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet presents Carmina Burana and T’əl: The Wild Man of the Woods |
| Date: | January 27, 2026 |
| Time: | 7:30pm |
| Venue: | Evergreen Theatre 5001 Joyce Ave, Powell River, BC |
| Ticket Prices: | From $47.78 – $84.53 25% discount for groups of 10 or morePay What You Can for Indigenous patrons with code COMMUNITY |
| Tickets/Info: | RWB.org |
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