Hansel and Gretel, the first full length production for Scottish Ballet by artistic director Christopher Hampson, is sheer delight.
Many months and many miles went into updating the ballet, Engel Humperdinck’s score and the Grimm’s fairytale for modern audiences and they were truly productive. Out goes the wicked step mother – many children now have step mums and they were considered to be nice. In comes the witch from the beginning. Hansel and Gretel go off willingly. There are exuberant and energetic Ravens. There are gymnastically excellent rag dolls. There are very romantic and beautiful ballerinas.
The audience was thrilled by the dancing and the clever ‘tricks’ in the gingerbread house.
All in all, a wonderful treat to round off the Christmas season. Catch it if you can. The production is touring to Aberdeen in Jan, Wed 15- Sat 18; Inverness, Wed 22 – Sat 25, and to Newcastle, Wed 29 – Sat 1st Feb, Belfast Wed 5 – Sat 8
That sounds absolutely delightful, Anne – wish I lived nearer a city sometimes.
Hi Rosemary, I know what you mean. When I lived 15 miles outside Edinburgh in a village that didn’t have a direct bus service for a lot of the time, it was as if one lived on the moon. I think even today, people appreciate the Royal Lyceum’s matinée performance because of night-time travelling difficulties. Anne