Veronica Tennant: A Dancer of Distinction

Synopsis: Television documentary celebrating the dancer Veronica Tennant, prima ballerina of the National Ballet of Canada, focusing on her interpretations of several significant roles. Performance or rehearsal excerpts of each role are accompanied by commentaries by Tennant, her various partners, and choreographers, teachers, and dance critics. Includes the following Shakespearean dance excerpts:

Opening sequence, danced by Veronica Tennant in practice clothes, combining excerpts from Giselle, Mad Shadows (role of Isabelle-Marie), The Dream (Titania), Napoli (excerpt from the interpolated Flower festival at Genzano pas de deux), Washington Square (Catherine).

Romeo and Juliet: bedroom pas de deux (1965, b&w) /choreography, John Cranko; music, Sergei Prokofiev; set, Robert Lawson; costumes, Jürgen Rose ; danced by Veronica Tennant (Juliet) and Earl Kraul (Romeo).

Romeo and Juliet: bedroom pas de deux / television recording ; choreography, music, and libretto credits as above ; design, Jürgen Rose; danced by Veronica Tennant (Juliet) and Raymond Smith (Romeo).

The Dream: pas de deux of Titania and Oberon / studio rehearsal, in practice clothes, with piano accompaniment; supervised by Alexander Grant ; choreography, Frederick Ashton; music, Felix Mendelssohn; danced by Veronica Tennant (Titania) and Anthony Dowell (Oberon); pianist, Mary McDonald.

Romeo and Juliet: poison scene (credits as above).
Language: English
Country: Canada
Medium: Television
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Transmission details: 1982 (Channel: CBC)
Duration: 58 mins