By Michelle Rawlins
Reviewed at The Lyceum, Sheffield
For any fans of the Northern Ballet, their eagerly awaited latest adaptation is here, and the spectacular that is Merlin is everything you could hope for. As always, this phenomenal company know how to put on a mesmerising show, with exceptional choreography that shows off the superb skills of the dancers; exquisite costumes and a full orchestra, led by conductor, Jonathan Lo, which perfectly accompanies this beautifully executed performance.
If you’ve been to see the Leeds based dancers before you’ll know to expect the unexpected – and award-winning Director and Choreographer, Drew Onie has spun his creative magic, successfully instilling a contemporary twist throughout this mesmerising and extraordinary ballet.
Delivered to earth and left to be raised by a struggling Blacksmith, Merlin is constantly imagining who his biological parents are and why they abandoned him.
As he enters adulthood, Merlin falls for Morgan, a general in the Solar Kingdom’s army, but she is only interested in taking his special powers from him, in the hope it will help her win the heart of Uther, the son of kingdom’s oppressive leader.
At the same time Morgan is determined to conquer The Kingdom of Tides, especially after she discovers Uther (Mlindi Kulashe) is in love with their princess, Ygraine, played beautifully by Antoinette Brooks-Daw. As a battle ensues and Merlin is entrapped, he comes to understand the real reason why he was gifted with his unique and mystical powers and as he makes his way to the battlefield with Excalibur, which he is presented with on his 18th birthday, it’s clear this isn’t just a simple quest of power but a journey of acceptance and love, which is the real heart of the show.
The elaborate stage, designed by Colin Richmond, like the performance, is eye catching, all gold-plated metal, twisted and illuminated steel trees, giving it a futuristic feel. As ever, the costumes are an intricate part of the story, a mix of classically beautiful to a visual representation of a mythical age. This isn’t a traditional adaptation of Merlin, but nor would you expect it to be, it’s an intimate story of discovery and the audience are successfully transcended into a faraway world, which is truly enchanting.
Touring Until – December 4 2021
Tickets available here: www.northenballet.com