Going Home Star conveys bitter residential school experience through ballet

At first, Joseph Boydencouldn't wrap his head around it.

When theaward-winning author was firstapproached to write the story for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's new work,hewondered about the suitability ofdepicting the horrors and consequences of Canada's residential school system through ballet, of all things.

"Why use a western art form to tell an aboriginal story?" Boyden asked an audience at the premiere of Going Home Star Truth andReconciliation,in Winnipeg in 2014.

But Boyden said hewas eventually convinced to take partbecause he wanted tobe involvedin communicating"the living history of aboriginal people in a way that breaks new ground."

The finished product isa taleof despair, humiliation, courage and eventually hope,told throughmovement, music and dance. It focuses on the story of Annie and Gordon, two aboriginal peoplewho must confront their childhood suffering.

Inspired by the testimony of survivors of Canada's residential school system anddeveloped with the support of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the work is a dramatic retelling of worlds and relationships torn apart, with a nod to a brighter future.

Justice Murray Sinclair, who chaired the commission, said he hopesthe piece will help conveythe residential school experience to all Canadians.

"It's part of the educational experience wefeelis so important for Canada," said Sinclair, who attended the premiere.

"The most common expression from non-aboriginalpeople is, 'We didn't know any of this.I didn't know thishappened.' Nowwith this event, not only will you see the beauty of dance,you will learn aboutthe storiesof those who have lived this."

The RWB'sartistic director Andr Lewiscommissionedthe work to mark the company's75th anniversary.

• RWB's Andr Lewis on Going Home Star

Lewis enlisted thecreative help ofchoreographer Mark Godden, composerChristosHatzis, costume designer Paul Daigle and set designer KC Adams.

The first production of the balletdrew widespread praise.

"The history of the residential schools is now our history as well as the history of First Nation's people. Memory has been made flesh in a new kind of kinetic genesis; it promises a legacy of light, understanding and hope." wrote reviewer Robert Enright.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is offeringcomplimentaryticketsto residential school survivorsfor the Ottawa performances ofGoingHomeStarTruth and Reconciliation.

Performances take place at 8 p.m.in SouthamHall of the National Arts Centre from Jan. 28 to 30. The Ottawa showskick off a national tour that will run through the spring and include additional stops in 12 morecities such asToronto, Regina, Banff, Victoriaand Vancouver.

A pre-performance discussion with members of the creative team will take place in the NAC Salon onJan.28 at 7 p.m.