TO close its 70th anniversary year, the Royal New Zealand Ballet returned to a triumph from one of its own.
Hansel and Gretel is the brainchild of Loughlan Prior and it is delicious in every single way — perhaps too much for Hansel ...
Between Prior, composer Claire Cowan, designer Kate Hawley and lighting designer Jon Buswell, this production brings caution, comedy and creepy to the fore in a way that captivates its audience.
Who knew that pink, full-body busboy costumes could evoke such fear?
Not much has changed since the first performance in 2019, but the whole feel of this work is very Tim Burton in his Edward Scissorhands days, particularly with the automation visuals, and it’s a whole lot creepier than I remember.
Ella Chambers makes her debut as Gretel, and she is partnered by Laurynas Vejalis as Hansel.
The pair make a delightful duo as our main characters, but again, they are overshadowed by other cast members.
Mother (Kate Kadow) and Father (Brandon Reiners) are exceptional and their heartbreak for their missing children is palpable.
Damani Campbell Williams, as Sandman, is another delight with his Bing Crosby whimsy.
Mayu Tanigaito always brings the drama to any of her performances and her role as the Queen of the Dew Fairies is no exception. She simply steals every scene she is in — her strength and precision cannot be faulted.
Act One set the scene as it should. Children taunted and set on a course that would lead to excess.
Act Two was the more captivating of the two, with saccharine pink filling the stage and also piquing our interest.
Once inside the Witch’s gingerbread house the pair were delivered plate upon plate of ever increasing sweet treats. It is punctuated by the staccato score, with an upbeat effervescence giving way to gluttony.
While the story of Hansel and Gretel is a cautionary one, it is also heartwarming and one to love.
The fabulous 1920s-inspired costumery, outlandish decadence and fun this ballet has reminds us that ballet need not always be serious. Chookas RNZB, the late Sir Jon Trimmer will be looking down on this with pride.
