The Shepherd’s Tale at DtDE

To celebrate the holiday season, we invite you to see Dancetheatre David Earle's production of The Shepherd’s Tale, a quest across time for the meaning of Christmas, encompassing the miracle of birth to honour a message of peace. Performers include esteemed local dance artists, as well as youth dancers, including some from the Guelph Dance Training program. Conceived and directed by David Earle.

Ben Harvey, the talented dancer above, appears as the Shepherd Boy in The Shepherd's Tale. This photo is from the GCDF 2012 Youth Moves series, choreographed by Karen Kaeja. Photo by James MacDonald.

Janet Johnson, Co-Artistic Director of Guelph Dance, teacher at Guelph Dance Training, and performer: I have had the pleasure of jumping back into a Dancetheatre David Earle project called The Shepherd's Tale.

It is a brand new holiday dance performance with earthy characters such as a Mary, Joseph, a young shepherd, an older shepherd, and angels etc.

It is a joy to be dancing with such a rich, talented cast including young dancers from the Guelph Youth Dance Company and apprentice company.  The studio has altered into an intimate theatre and there the dance story unfolds with outstandingly beautiful medieval music and David's signature elegant choreography. It is a wonderful way to mull over the wonder and historical biblical story of Christmas in an honest and poignant way.

Julia Garlisi, plays Mary in The Shepherd’s Tale: Being involved in the creation and performance of The Shepherd's Tale with DtDE has been a rich and inspiring experience. David Earle has yet again created a work that transforms space and time and offers a chance for the audience to really see and feel something. In this modest tale, David has opened up the opportunity for people to engage with each other and be touched by generosity.

The generosity of David, the cast of amazing dancers, and the behind-the-scenes crew has been completely beautiful to witness and be part of. I feel particularly lucky to be involved with this production at this time of year. David's work has reminded me about what is truly important during the holiday season.

Suzette Sherman, dancer in The Shepherd’s Tale: Being with David while he creates is always a tremendous inspiration. Watching him pull together the countless details of The Shepherd's Tale until they make a cohesive whole seems miraculous! I never cease to marvel at how he instinctively knows what is essential and what is not.

As for dancing in The Shepherd's Tale, it is a great gift of joy for which I am grateful. I hope all will come and celebrate with us!

David Earle, Artistic Director of DtDE, and director of The Shepherd’s Tale:  Having many people around me with whom I've worked for some twenty years, and with people who've devoted themselves to dance with a humanist concern for 10 years here in Guelph, makes my time onstage at 73 as meaningful as it could ever be. I feel like the old shepherd, indeed.  Having Michael English as an angel onstage and off creating a magic theatre in our space, and Suzette Sherman filling in the gaps in creation and bringing ancient powers to the role of the gypsy ...... all I can say is that miracles abound!

The Shepherd's Tale
December 14, 15, 16, 2012
Fridays, 8:00pm - Saturdays & Sundays, 4:00pm
42 Quebec Street, Guelph, ON
$20 Adult, $12 Senior / Youth

Advance purchase or reservation recommended.

Tickets available at DtDE - 42 Quebec Street, Guelph, ON - 519-837-2746 - www.dtde.ca, and also at the Bookshelf Bookshop - 41 Quebec Street, Guelph, ON

Happy holidays, everyone! Hope to see you at our Guelph Dance New Year’s Eve party!