Hansel & Gretel
Royal New Zealand Ballet
World Premiere
2019 / Wellington Opera House
Followed by a national tour
Choreographer Loughlan Prior
Composer Claire Cowan
Designer Kate Hawley
Lighting Design Jon Buswell
Digital animation POW Studios Limited
2023 - Revival, Royal New Zealand Ballet
2024 - Alberta Ballet
Oregon Ballet Theatre
2025 - Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Images Celia Walmsley, Stephen A'Court
Video Jeremy Brick
“A rich and delightful production boasting fully realised and completely original fairytale world building.”
- Dance Aotearoa New Zealand
"Hansel and Gretel is a wonderful production with imaginative choreography and a creative team at the top of their game."
- The Dominion Post
Programme Notes:
It is midnight: the witching hour.. Alone and lost, two hungry children stumble towards a glowing vision of warmth and comfort, heaven for any child with an empty belly and an aching heart. But all is not as it seems…
Taking place inside a black and white silent film, the look, sound and feel of the production harkens back to the days of old celluloid and German expressionism. Trees appear as a forest of giant forks, the moon is made of cheese and the Witch rides around on a steampunk bicycle, luring children to her Gingerbread House.
Loughlan Prior, with Claire Cowan and Kate Hawley, has created a magical world of memorable characters: a brave brother and sister; their loving parents who never give up hope; the mystical Sandman and his sparkling Dew Fairies; and the most delightful (or is she?) Ice Cream Witch… not forgetting the Man in the Moon, an array of spooky creatures, fantastical food and a sinister chorus line of pink-iced gingerbread men.
Laughter, tears, shivers down the spine, plenty of sugar and just a touch of spice together make a recipe for a truly happy ending and a wonderful ballet experience for all ages.
"A candy-coated witch world for the RNZ Ballet's richly layered and extremely rewarding Hansel & Gretel - its new ballet which should be devoured by the world."
- New Zealand Herald
“Delicious in every single way.”
- Otago Daily Times
"From the moment it opens, Hansel & Gretel is a rich and delightful production. Prior has worked deliberately to utilise every available production element to conjure a world that the audience are invited into."
- Theatre Scenes
“Unabashed entertainment spills from the stage".
- The Post
"Bursting with unique artistry, surrealism, and dexterous humour"
- Eyes on Wellington
"From the moment it opens, Hansel & Gretel is a rich and delightful production. Prior has worked deliberately to utilise every available production element to conjure a world that the audience are invited into."
- Theatre Scenes
"Hansel & Gretel is a true return to form for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and its best holiday-season family ballet in years"
- Lucire
“A crowd-pleasing delight that will reach into the hearts of audiences".
- The Post
