Photo Coverage: The National Ballet of Canada's MAD HOT WONDERLAND

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On Tuesday, June 21st The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts was transformed into something straight out of Wonderland as patrons plunged down the rabbit hole in support of The National Ballet of Canada. Mad Hot Wonderland was the Ballet's Annual Fundraiser and it was a smashing success. The evening featured performances from the now sold out production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, as well as Passacaglia, No. 24 and Dying Swan, danced by Greta Hodgkinson who is celebrating her 20th year with The National Ballet of Canada.

Following the performance guests were invited to party in Wonderland, with food, drink, music and fabulous prizes. It was truly a magical night, complete with roaming Alice's (who greeted guests, played life-size chess and croquet), white rabbits and many mad hatters. A signature "White Rabbit Cocktail" featuring Skyy Vodka and Teaopia Tangerine Dream Tea was waiting for guests as they exited the performance, served in gorgeous Ashley Royal Doulton teacups. A Mad Hatter Challenge also took place where guests could vote on their favourite Mad Hat!

The event was a rip-roaring success, with celebrity guests aplenty (including Artistic Director Karen Kain in a stunning Justina McCaffrey gown) and tons of music, food and drink to be enjoyed. 1898 guests attended the event, which raised $1,124,500 for the ballet to support their continued excellence in dance. BWW was thrilled to be on hand to cover all of the magic of Wonderland with these exclusive photos:

When and Where?

Mad Hot Wonderland took place on June 21st at The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. The Lead Sponsor was CIBC and media sponsors were CTV and The Globe and Mail. Food and drink was provided by Skyy Vodka, Teaopia, Wines of South Africa, Steam Whistle, Tipicular Fixins and North 44. The event raised $1,124,500 for The National Ballet of Canada.

The National Ballet of Canada's 60th Season opens on November 16th, 2011 with a brand new production of Romeo and Juliet by acclaimed choreographer Alexei Ratmansky.

For complete details on the 2011 Season or to purchase tickets, please visit their official website at http://national.ballet.ca/

All Photos by Racheal McCaig Photography

The Alice's Adventures in Wonderland banner outside The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Artistic Director Karen Kain with husband Ross Petty

BWW's Kelly Cameron is greeted by a quartet of Alices

"Drink Me" water bottles kicked off the Mad Hot Wonderland themed food and drink

The White Rabbit Cocktail (featuring Skyy Vodka and Teaopia

A young ballet fan eyes up the tea displays

Mad Hot Wonderland wouldn't be complete without tea

The William Ashley Tea Cups

BWW's Kelly Cameron went down the rabbit hole

Fingers sandwiches provided by North 44

Wonderful food spread by North 44

The Mad Hot Crowd

Human Caterpillar and his Mad Hot Servant

BWW's Kelly Cameron taking a break

BWW's Kelly Cameron with the Caterpillar and his gorgeous friend

BWW's Kelly Cameron and Q's Jian Ghomeshi

Mad Hot Guests show off their Mad Hat's

Sheila McCarthy and Bob Hope

Principal Dancers Sonia Rodriguez, Bridgett Zehr, Heather Ogden, Greta Hodgkinson and Xiao Nan Yu

Principal Dancers Zdenek Konvalina, Jiri Jelinek and Aleksandar Antonijevic

Principal Dancers Jiri Jelinek, Heather Ogden, Bridgett Zehr, Sonia Rodriguez, Aleksandar Antonijevic, Xiao Nan Yu, Greta Hodgkinson and Zdenek Konvalina

Principal Dancers Heather Ogden, Bridgett Zehr, Sonia Rodriguez, Aleksandar Antonijevic and Xiao Nan Yu

BWW's Kelly Cameron, Kurt Browning and Sonia Rodriguez

Kurt Browning congratulates wife Sonia Rodriguez with a kiss

Robert Brews, Ross Petty, Karen Kain and Ken Brown

The Alices play croquet

The Alices on Osgoode Lawn

BWW's Kelly Cameron tries her luck at croquet

The view of the Mad Hot Party from Osgoode Lawn

BWW Hi-Res Gallery - Original Version

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Kelly Cameron's love affair with the theatre began when she was just five years old, on an outing to see the Original Canadian Cast of Les Miserables at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto. She instantly fell in love, and since then has been lucky enough to be involved in various theatre activities and productions, including a regional production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and a local production of Where the Sidewalk Ends. She has also received training from various teachers throughout Southwestern Ontario in both piano and voice, and competed in vocal competitions for which she received a few awards. Her writing career started almost by accident, when she had the opportunity to become a ghostwriter for up and coming businesses. She continues to do this, writing the content for all sorts of companies who are starting websites and looking to find their voice.

Her passion and love for theatre led to her becoming involved with BroadwayWorld where she is thrilled to be writing for the Toronto contingent of the rapidly growing website. When she isn't at the theatre, you can generally find her firmly planted in front of her trusty Blackberry - tweeting, Facebooking or partaking in other such social media activities to ensure that those who want to know are kept apprised of everything that Toronto theatre has to offer. Other interests include movies, art, music, shopping, fashion and martial arts with the occasional foray into the world of finance.

Follow Kelly on Twitter at @broadwaybabyto

Creep her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Kelly-Cameron/500187141

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