Reviewed by Michelle Rawlins at Leeds Grand Theatre
It’s been 11 years since Northern Ballet performed A Christmas Carol. But the passage of time hasn’t taken anything away from this beautifully staged seasonal production.
As you would expect from the Leeds based company, the choreography under Massimo Moricone is exquisite. The costumes, too, are sublime, and the set is as atmospheric as it is spectacular.
Director, Christopher Gable CBE, has put his own take on the traditional Dickensian novel. This may be a ballet, but, quite unusually for this company, there are also songs, including an opening rendition of ‘God Rest You Merry Gentlemen’. Sadly, the carols were performed to recorded music as the impressive Sinfonia was cut.Although this feels like a departure from one of the key elements of Northern Ballet, it doesn’t take away from the brilliance of this magical adaptation.
The storyline is familiar. Scrooge is forced to face his past, present, and potential future – which let’s face it, looks pretty grim. Jonathan Hanks’ characterisation, from the make-up to the dancing, is truly impressive. He goes from a miserable, penny counting miser, to a furious old man being challenged about the way he lives, before transforming into a jolly old chap, with rather an eloquent, and joyful, spring in his step, as he embraces the Christmas spirit.
Eloquently weaved through is the story of Tiny Tim (Leon Sumi-Cathcart) and how Scrooge threw away the chance of finding happiness with his first true love, Belle (Dominique Larose). The early heartbreak leads to his eventual stony hardness, which is only softened as Scrooge is visited by a series of ghosts.
The ghoulish phantoms come dressed in rags, or angelic, and finally, a terrifying skeletal and rather demonic spirit adds the essential spookiness to this Dickensian inspired ballet. They also serve to showcase the skills of the dancers as they expertly and eerily contort their bodies, showing off their technical prowess.
The set, designed by Lez Brotherston OBE, is both magnificent in the story it depicts as well as in its physical height. A two-storey structure converts seamlessly between Scrooge’s neglected bedroom, a drinking house and poor Bob Cratchit’s humble, but brimming-with-love, abode.
The tavern brings a sense of joy and pantomime to the show as the amusing, and somewhat comedic, Mr & Mrs Fezziwig (Bruno Serraclara and Amber Lewis) make for a perfect partnership, as they cavort and dance, celebrating the Christmas season, to their heart’s content.
Each piece of dance and every costume, from the top hats and tails to the gowns and ghouls, ensure this show is as spectacular as it is magical.
After over a decade hiatus, it’s a joy to see this mesmerising ballet back on the stage. For anyone who loves a traditional Christmas tale, whether you’re eight or eighty, it’s a performance to behold.
Showing until: January 4 2025
Tickets available here
Photos – by Emily Nuttall, Tristram Kenton