"Love Lies Bleeding" will tour in 2011 after getting a go-ahead from Elton John.

Elton John has given the thumbs-up to a tour of "Love Lies Bleeding", the Alberta Ballet production based on his life and music. The ambitious work choreographed by Alberta Ballet artistic director Jean Grand-Maître premiered May 6, 2010 in Calgary.

Although Elton was not able to attend the ballet because of a scheduling conflict, his friend and adviser Ray Cooper was there on opening night. Based on Cooper's advice — and critical acclaim — Elton has approved a tour of the multimedia production starting in 2011, Alberta Ballet announced on June 22, 2010.

"I am proud of what the Alberta Ballet has created and I am looking forward to seeing this ballet live on," Elton said in a statement. "It is a strong, contemporary choreography that entertains and challenges dance audiences with its new esthetics and its powerful fusion of different art mediums. I hope it will attract thousands of new patrons to this wonderful art form."

"Love Lies Bleeding" drew critical acclaim for its mix of contemporary music, multimedia and colourful costumes. Elton approached the Alberta Ballet about the project after seeing the company's well-received Fiddle and the Drum, based on the music of Joni Mitchell, in 2007. He picked the music and gave Grand-Maître carte blanche for the rest of the $1.2-million production. Grand-Maître said the tour would make his ballet company "cultural ambassadors of our province and our country around the world."

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