Elton John OK's Love Lies Bleeding tour

Elton John has given the thumbs-up to a tour of Love Lies Bleeding, the Alberta Ballet production based on his life and music.

The ambitious work choreographed by Alberta Ballet artistic director Jean Grand-Matre premiered May 6 in Calgary.

Although John was not able to attend the ballet because of a scheduling conflict, his friend and adviser Ray Cooper was there on opening night.

Based on Cooper's advice and critical acclaim John has approved a tour of the multimedia production starting in 2011, Alberta Ballet announced Tuesday.

"I am proud of what the Alberta Ballet has created and I am looking forward to seeing this ballet live on," John said in a statement.

"It is a strong, contemporary choreography that entertains and challenges dance audiences with its new esthetics and its powerful fusion of different art mediums. I hope it will attract thousands of new patrons to this wonderful art form."

John approached the Alberta Ballet about the project after seeing the company's well-received Fiddle and the Drum, based on the music of Joni Mitchell, in 2007. He picked the music and gave Grand-Matre carte blanche for the rest of the $1.2-million production.

Grand-Matre said the tour would make his ballet company "cultural ambassadors of our province and our country around the world."

Love Lies Bleeding is set to 14songs composed byJohn and Bernie Taupin including Benny and the Jets, Crocodile Rock, I'm Going To Be A Teenage Idol and Saturday Night's Alright (for Fighting).

Lead dancer Yukichi Hattoridrew critical acclaim for his interpretation of John himself and the production was hailed for its use of multimedia and colourful costumes.