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Since childhood, dance has been Evelyn Hart’s magnificent obsession.
Her highly charged, sublime performances have thrilled audiences around
the world, and made her the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s greatest star.
In this intimate portrait, the cameras follow Evelyn on stage and backstage
as she dances her final season with the RWB. At 49, fighting injury and
an aging body, Evelyn prepares to make the difficult transition to life
after dance.
Evelyn's
love affair with dance began when she saw her first performance at age 10.
After several attempts, she was finally admitted to the National Ballet
School, but the pressure to succeed was intense. Just three months later,
she was sent home suffering from anorexia. "Having to deal with the eating
disorder took me into therapy," says Evelyn, "and this has been one of the
greatest gifts ever."
Driven, perfectionistic and demanding, she is hard on herself - and on dance
partners like Rex Harrington. "I can't meet that perfection," he admits.
"It drives me mad. But I understand it and I respect it." The biography
also explores how Evelyn's total dedication to dance has eclipsed almost
everything else in her life. Family members recall the disappointment of
missed weddings, birthdays and holidays - all because of her demanding schedule.
Former
prima ballerinas Karen Kain and Veronica Tennant confess how tough it is
to hold the spotlight in a profession where you're considered old at 30.
To keep on dancing, Evelyn maintains a gruelling regimen - visiting chiropractors,
physios, acupuncturists and massage therapists several times a week. And,
despite surgery, an injured right foot continues to plague her.
Sidelined by younger dancers and pressured to retire, Evelyn Hart takes
her final bow with the Royal Winnipeg. Now living in Toronto, she's preparing
for a new role - as an actor.
photo credits: top two photos, David Cooper; bottom photo, Bruce Monk
Links
Evelyn
Hart: Canada's Digital Collections
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