The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas at the Wolverhampton Grand Review

Reviewed by Adam Legge

For anybody who is not familiar with the story, The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas, it is the tale of the horrors of the holocaust told from the point of view of a 9 year old boy set within the environment of a typical loving family. This particular production tells the tale brilliantly through the format of dance by Northern Ballet with a fantastic live orchestra, the Northern Ballet Sinfonia.

I saw the show tonight (Tuesday 30 May 2017) having not ever read the novel or seen the film, yet despite this being a wordless production, I very easily was able to follow the storyline through the clever pieces of dance and choreography. The feeling of woe and misery of the time and the mood of each scene was portrayed spectacularly by the difference in the styles of dance within each scene. The impressive music gave mood to the performances and together with the dance, the story was perfectly portrayed. The simple set design was used imaginatively and complemented the performance well.

What particularly stood out for me throughout this performance was a character called The Fury. The Fury represented the Fuhrer’s message and influence and how it contaminated and altered people’s personalities and for me, helped explain why a loving and devoted family man was able to become part of this evil machine.

Neither myself or my companion have ever been to a ballet before so it really was a different experience for us both. Neither of us can deny the pure talent that was breathtakingly portrayed on stage and whilst we are absolute novices when it comes to the world of ballet, we were left with a sense of awe from the beautiful and sensitive way in which this harrowing and certainly tragic tale is portrayed.

For lovers of ballet and dance, you will find this a fascinating portrayal of the story. And for a ballet novice like myself, you are sure to come away with thoughts provoked and a deep sense of the tragedy of John Boyne’s novel.

Rating: 4/5

Tickets cost from £11.50 to £28.50 (booking fees may apply).

Northern Ballet’s The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas is at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 30-31 May 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.grandtheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01902 429 212.

The Grand Theatre Wolverhampton, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DE