Scottish Ballet Hansel & Gretel at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh Review
Scottish Ballet
Hansel & Gretel
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
10-31 December 2016
Reviewed by Lynsey Miller
This production is the Scottish Ballet’s powerful and gripping interpretation of the children’s fairytale that tells the story about two children – Hansel and Gretel – who run away to hunt for their missing friends. After getting lost in the woods the children are enticed into a gingerbread house where they are captured by a witch. After setting themselves free and pushing the Witch into the fire, Hansel and Gretel break the Witch’s spell and release all the children that had been taken from the town.
The story is told beautifully through Christopher Hapson’s mesmerising chorography. The dancers are simply breathtaking as they effortlessly move around the stage bringing this well known fairytale to live so powerfully. The whole production is enchanting from the elegant stage setting to the beautifully magical costumes. You simple can’t take your eyes of the stage or the dancers. The orchestra are wonderful with their music dramatic yet at times gentle and extremely moving – complimenting the dancer’s story beautifully.
The Festival Theatre is a modern extremely spacious theatre with a choice of bars on each floor and helpful, friendly staff. It is a very nice space to have drinks pre, during and post show. The theatre is located in the city centre which means it is easily accessible by public transport and is surrounded by on street parking as well as an array or bars and restaurants for pre and post show drinks and food.
The whole evening was charming and captivating even down to the very elegant programmes. I had a fantastic evening at the Festival Theatre watching this story magically come to live through dance. I would give the evening 4 out of 5 and would absolutely recommend to friends and family of all ages.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £14.50 to £43.50 (booking fees may apply).
Scottish Ballet Hansel & Gretel is at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh until 31 December 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0131 529 6000.
Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT | 0131 529 6000
