"the Handmaid's Tale" Ballet(2022) Apr 2026

: Lila York’s style for this production is described as angular and bold , prioritizing high stylization and abstraction over the "ethereal" grace typical of classical ballet.

: The stage is defined by the iconic blood-red costumes for the Handmaids, designed by Liz Vandal and Marie Chouinard , which stand out against the oppressive, minimalist atmosphere of the Republic of Gilead. "The Handmaid's Tale" Ballet(2022)

The 2022 production of by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) is a stark, avant-garde departure from traditional escapist story ballets. Choreographed by Lila York , the performance translates Margaret Atwood’s dystopian world into a medium that relies entirely on physical and emotional endurance rather than spoken dialogue. Production Overview : Lila York’s style for this production is

The ballet emphasizes the central message of Atwood’s work—the moral and political wrong of controlling women’s reproductive freedom. Choreographed by Lila York , the performance translates

: York has noted that while the four lead women require immense physical stamina, the roles also demand significant emotional endurance to portray the daily anguish and suffering of the Handmaids.

Praise for the production often centers on its refusal to sugarcoat the source material for the stage.

: While abstract, the ballet remains action-driven, making the primary story of Offred and Moira easy to follow as they navigate their forced roles in a patriarchal theonomic state. Artistic Themes & Performance