Northern Ballet is set to spread Christmas cheer across Leeds when the Company brings Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol back to the stage in Leeds, culminating a new UK-wide winter tour.
This magical production combines traditional ballet and captivating theatre to tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation from notorious grump to champion of the Christmas spirit.
Choreographed by Massimo Moricone and directed by Christopher Gable CBE, the production premiered in 1992 at the Theatre Royal, Bath, where it broke all previous box office records and became an instant hit with audiences.
Following the revival of Romeo & Juliet earlier this year, Director Federico Bonelli has continued the trend of revisiting Northern Ballet’s retired landmark productions to the glee of longtime supporters and new audiences alike.
Federico:
‘”Alongside exploring new stories that connect, I am passionate about preserving the heritage of Northern Ballet. This signature piece from the era of Christopher Gable, like Romeo & Juliet, was a landmark moment in the Company’s history and continues to be beloved by our audiences, which is why I’m so excited to return it to the stage this winter.
Charles Dickens’ classic tale of redemption, with its message of human kindness and compassion ,is something that resonates with us all ,especially at this time of year. Its iconic characters lend themselves so well to ballet and I look forward to seeing audiences of all ages enjoying the show with us over the coming months.’“
With colourful sets and costumes by Lez Brotherston OBE and Carl Davis’ festive score, blending classical music with well-known carols sung by the Company, audiences can expect to be transported to a traditional Victorian Christmas.
A Christmas Carol, which opens at Sheffield Lyceum Theatre on Thursday 7 November before touring to Hull, Norwich and Nottingham, will finish with a three-week run at Leeds Grand Theatre. All venues will offer an audio-described performance to improve accessibility for those with visual impairments. This production will be performed to recorded music.
Visit northernballet.com to find out more and to book tickets.
Photography by Bill Cooper unless otherwise captioned.
Main image: Kenneth Tindall, Georgina May, Darren Goldsmith, Nathalie Leger and Hironao Takahashi in A Christmas Carol.
