British Universities Film & Video Council

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Veronica Tennant: A Dancer of Distinction

Synopsis
Television documentary celebrating the dancer Veronica Tennant, prima ballerina of the National Ballet of Canada, focusing on her interpretations of several significant roles. Performance or rehearsal excerpts of each role are accompanied by commentaries by Tennant, her various partners, and choreographers, teachers, and dance critics. Includes the following Shakespearean dance excerpts:

Opening sequence, danced by Veronica Tennant in practice clothes, combining excerpts from Giselle, Mad Shadows (role of Isabelle-Marie), The Dream (Titania), Napoli (excerpt from the interpolated Flower festival at Genzano pas de deux), Washington Square (Catherine).

Romeo and Juliet: bedroom pas de deux (1965, b&w) /choreography, John Cranko; music, Sergei Prokofiev; set, Robert Lawson; costumes, Jürgen Rose ; danced by Veronica Tennant (Juliet) and Earl Kraul (Romeo).

Romeo and Juliet: bedroom pas de deux / television recording ; choreography, music, and libretto credits as above ; design, Jürgen Rose; danced by Veronica Tennant (Juliet) and Raymond Smith (Romeo).

The Dream: pas de deux of Titania and Oberon / studio rehearsal, in practice clothes, with piano accompaniment; supervised by Alexander Grant ; choreography, Frederick Ashton; music, Felix Mendelssohn; danced by Veronica Tennant (Titania) and Anthony Dowell (Oberon); pianist, Mary McDonald.

Romeo and Juliet: poison scene (credits as above).
Language
English
Country
Canada
Medium
Television
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Transmission details
1982 (Channel: CBC)
Duration
58 mins

Credits

Production Design
Robert Lawson
Costume
Jürgen Rose
Choreographer
Frederick Ashton; John Cranko
Contributor
Victoria Tennant (2)
Cast
Raymond Smith (2)Romeo
Victoria Tennant (2)Juliet
Anthony DowellOberon
Victoria Tennant (2)Titania

Additional Details

Theatre company
National Ballet of Canada
Production type
Dance
Plays
Midsummer Night’s Dream, A; Romeo and Juliet
Subjects
Dance
Keywords
ballet; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Production Company

Name

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Archive

Name

Dance Collection, Jerome Robbins Dance Division

Email
dance@nypl.org
Web
http://www.nypl.org/research/lpa/dan/dan.html External site opens in new window
Phone
212 870 1657
Fax
212 870 1869
Address
New York Library for the Performing Arts
40 Lincoln Center Plaza
New York
NY 10023 7498

Record Stats

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