Yahoo News ‘Heart-warming treat for Hull’ – Review of Northern Ballet’s A Christmas Carol
A feel-good feast for the soul was served up at Hull New Theatre last night.
Northern Ballet’s A Christmas Carol was a beautifully performed and rapturously received rendition of this much-loved festive tale, and a heart-warming treat for Hull ahead of Christmas 2024.
Transporting us back 175 years to Christmastime in Dickensian London, the costumes and set were perfectly evocative of the period as the dancers brought the best Christmas story ever – at least in my book – to life in front of an enthralled audience. My knowledge of ballet is limited, so I cannot pass judgement on the intricacies of the dance moves and how well they were executed.
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I am sure there would have been connoisseurs in the theatre keeping a very close eye on that side of things. All I know is, it all looked perfect to me.
The choreography told of lightness and joy when it needed to; of coldness, despair and torment when that was required. Experience does tell me that when something looks as easy as the company of dancers and soloists made it appear, it will be very difficult indeed.
There was very little dialogue but even if you are a newcomer to the story of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and his redemption thanks to intervening spirits at Christmas, you will have no need of a spoken explanation. The dancers will tell it for you, assisted by the clever staging and lighting effects – I actually felt chilled when we were “in” Scrooge’s miserable house - and who knew how many different parts a bed could play?
Having dutifully turned off my phone before the start of the performance – there are two breaks in the show, rather than just one interval – I did not realise until afterwards that there was a QR code to scan in the foyer to get a cast list. In some ways I am glad I am not in a position to name-check any one performer from opening night; they were all incredible, in my opinion, including the young man playing Tiny Tim who sang the most touching solo.
A word to the wise, although the show is advertised as family entertainment, I would not consider it suitable for young children. There are sudden plunges into blackness and the phantoms, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come especially, are scary.
Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in just six weeks in 1843, published the novella on December 19 that year, and the first edition had sold out by Christmas Eve. He hoped it would be an effective way to reach a wide audience with his concerns about poverty and injustice.
I think he would be pleased indeed to see another, one of so many versions there have been, rendering of his commentary on society and the need to assist the poor and the powerless, sharing his message so brilliantly on the stage in Hull.
Northern Ballet's A Christmas Carol runs at Hull New Theatre until Saturday, November 16.
