Unwrap a tasty new Christmas treat with the world premiere of Christopher Hampson's fantastical Hansel & Gretel. Read more …
A 1950's town, all the children have disappeared. Plucky Hansel and Gretel embark on an exciting adventure venturing deep into the enchanted forest to find their friends.
This delightfully inventive brand new Hansel & Gretel takes creative twists and turns inspired by the Grimm Brother's famous fairy tale - and the stories and imagination of the people of Scotland.
A carousel of delicious treats from start to finish, Hansel & Gretel is full to the brim with magic and wit; with toys that come to life and a beautiful bewitching ballerina who is not at all as she seems.
Scrumptiously surreal and with more than a sprinkle of festive magic - take an enchanting journey with Scotland's national dance company this winter.
Humperdinck's evocative score is performed live by the Scottish Ballet orchestra.
There is some smart storytelling here, and Hansel and Gretel’s brother/sister relationship is suitably fleshed out. Given what we’ve seen from choreographer Christopher Hampson in the past, however, it feels as though he held back on this one – both on the movement and the magic.
Hampsen’s strutting fusion of classical moves and contemporary movement doesn’t bowdlerise either genre, but never quite satisfies. There are big progressions and leaps for Mutso and pleasing ensemble sequences, but there is a lack of rigour from the corps de ballet at times and the storytelling is not always clear.
All in all, a brilliantly devised version of the classic fairytale that’s certainly sure to leave a lasting impression.
On opening night, the show was lacking liveliness and precision, but perhaps in time it will develop the qualities it needs to shine.
Hampson has created a work which is simultaneously clever, classy and comic.
Overall, though, this is a thorough treat. It has great bits of classical ballet, superb dance performances, a stunning set by Gary Harris, evocative (if somewhat crepuscular) lighting by George Thomson, excellently portrayed characters and a real emotional tug. Just so long as you read the synopsis first.
The cast performed Hampson’s inspired choreography to the award-winning standard that has now come to be expected of Scottish Ballet.
Interview: ballet dancer Daniel Davidson, star of Christopher Hampson's Hansel & Gretel
Hansel and Gretel ballet has fairytale elements intact
Theatre Royal, Glasgow from Tuesday December 10, 2013, until Saturday December 28, 2013. More info: www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyalglasgow/
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from Wednesday January 8, 2014, until Saturday January 11, 2014. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/festival
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen from Wednesday January 15, 2014, until Saturday January 18, 2014. More info: www.hmtaberdeen.com
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness from Wednesday January 22, 2014, until Saturday January 25, 2014. More info: www.eden-court.co.uk
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