Northern Ballet’s Hansel & Gretel Premieres in Leeds This February

Northern Ballet’s latest children’s ballet, Hansel & Gretel, is set to premiere at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre in Leeds from 15 to 22 February. Following its debut, the environmentally themed reimagining of the Brothers Grimm classic will embark on a UK tour, running from 1 March to 7 June, with stops in Hull, Edinburgh, London, and more.

This new production brings a fresh perspective to the familiar tale. Hansel and Gretel venture into the forest, unaware of the environmental impact they leave behind. Lost and searching for their way, they meet lively characters who teach them the importance of caring for the planet while sharing fun and engaging lessons.

The ballet is choreographed by Northern Ballet Company dancers Harris Beattie and George Liang, both of whom have performed in and choreographed previous children’s ballets for the company. Beattie said: “I’m really excited to bring this version of Hansel & Gretel to young audiences. I think it’s so important to have themes and topics that relate to today’s world embedded in the stories we share with children.”

Liang added: “Children’s ballet is a significant part of what we do here at Northern Ballet. Having performed in several children’s ballets myself, I know how our performances can inspire a new generation of audiences. I’m excited to choreograph our version of Hansel & Gretel, especially with its environmental twist, to teach young audiences the importance of caring for our planet.”

The production’s sustainability message extends to its design. Costumes and sets were crafted using recycled, repurposed, and sustainable materials. Highlights include a ‘Rubbish Monster’ costume made from 400 used bottles and 250 cans, and fabrics sourced from charity shops and upcycled into vibrant stage pieces.

Designed for children aged three and up, the 40-minute ballet is set to live music by Colin Scott and features sets and costumes by Ali Allen and lighting by Abbi Fearnley. It continues Northern Ballet’s tradition of creating award-winning children’s ballets, including Tortoise & the Hare and Three Little Pigs, many of which have been adapted for TV and screened by CBeebies.

The Leeds performances will include relaxed and audio-described sessions to make the experience accessible to more families. Relaxed performances are open to everyone but are designed to support individuals with sensory, communication, or learning differences. Audio-described performances, introduced last year, will return thanks to support from The Spectacle Maker’s Charity.

Tickets are now on sale. For details and booking, visit northernballet.com/hansel-and-gretel.

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