La Fille Mal Gardée
Our last performance of La Fille Mal Gardée was in the Spring of 2024 at the Martha Cohen Theatre. Learn more about this ballet below!
In the spring of 2024, Jeunesse Classique Ballet proudly presented La Fille Mal Gardée — marking the first time this beloved classic has ever been performed in Alberta.
Under the inspired leadership of Artistic Director Jaciel Gomez, our dancers brought to life this charming, lighthearted ballet, delighting audiences with its playful storytelling, vibrant choreography, and timeless humor. This milestone production not only celebrated Jeunesse Classique Ballet’s commitment to preserving and sharing classical works, but also gave our talented young dancers the opportunity to shine on stage in one of ballet’s most joyful masterpieces.
Act I
Lise and Colas are in love and want to marry. While Lise does her morning chores, like feeding the chickens and churning the butter, Colas visits her, but her mother, the Widow Simone, catches them and sends Colas away. She disapproves of the match and to see her daughter marry the rich but dimwitted and very unusual Alain.
At harvest time they join the town for a picnic lunch to dance together around the maypole, and Lise's friends join her mother for a clog dance, until their celebrations are interrupted by an unexpected thunderstorm.
Photos provided by Larry Doucet
Act II
Back at their house, Lise helps her mother spin some wool but all the while she is daydreaming about her future with Colas. When the Widow Simone falls asleep, she and Colas dance together through the window, until the other villagers burst in, waking the Widow and allowing Colas to sneak inside.
Despite the Widow Simone's best efforts to keep them apart, in the end, love conquers all and Lise and Colas are married.
Photos provided by Larry Doucet