Press Release: SCOTTISH BALLET’S HANSEL & GRETEL RETURNS THIS WINTER

[Jan McNulty]

SCOTTISH BALLET’S HANSEL & GRETEL RETURNS THIS WINTER, TOURING TO SCOTLAND, NEWCASTLE AND BELFAST 

 

Scottish Ballet’s festive treat Hansel & Gretel returns for Winter 2016/17. Choreographed by CEO / Artistic Director Christopher Hampson, Scottish Ballet’s interpretation of this classic fairy tale is filled with festive magic, twists and turns.

 

Scottish Ballet’s Hansel & Gretel is a fun interpretation of the Grimm Brother’s famous fairy tale. It received its world premiere in December 2013 and was inspired by the stories and imagination of the people of Scotland. The critically acclaimed production features an exclusive arrangement of Engelbert Humperdinck’s famous score, performed live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra. 

 

Now audiences across Scotland, Newcastle and Belfast will have another chance enjoy this family favourite. Hansel & Gretel is touring to Edinburgh (10 – 31 December), Glasgow (5 - 14 January), Aberdeen (18 - 21 January), Inverness (25 - 28 January), Newcastle (1 - 4 February) and Belfast (8 – 11 February). Scottish Ballet’s Hansel & Gretel will feature talented young children from each of the cities on tour, who will perform on stage with Scotland’s national dance company.

 

Christopher Hampson, CEO / Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet:

"I am delighted to bring back our fun, festive ballet Hansel & Gretel for Scottish Ballet's upcoming Winter season. Hansel & Gretel was the first ballet I choreographed for Scottish Ballet and it was a real labour of love. Prior to its world premiere in 2013, we worked with children and adults across Scotland to develop the story. So this is a ballet that is inspired by and truly belongs to the people of Scotland. I am looking forward to bringing Hansel & Gretel back this Christmas with Scottish Ballet performing to audiences across Scotland, Newcastle and Belfast."

 

“Colourful, clever and captivating”

The Sunday Times

 

“Fizzing with mischief and magic”

The Telegraph

 

“A feast for the eyes and ears”

Press & Journal

 

Hansel & Gretel, and You Appeal

Scottish Ballet has launched the Hansel & Gretel, and You Appeal, to support the local children who will be performing in Hansel & Gretel and to help nurture and develop their creative talents.

 

The Hansel & Gretel, and You Appeal is a unique fundraising drive, which offers members of the public the opportunity to invest in the future by supporting and encouraging participation in dance for young people across Scotland. 

 

Scottish Ballet dancers will be mentoring and supporting the young people on their creative journey, whilst developing their skills as role models, passing on their knowledge and experience to the children of Scotland, some of whom may have limited access to dance. 

 

Support the young dancers by donating to the Hansel & Gretel, and You Appeal: www.scottishballet.co.uk/appeal

 

Wee Hansel & Gretel

As well as the main production, Scottish Ballet will also be performing Wee Hansel & Gretel – a wee version of a big ballet - in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Newcastle. This specially adapted hour long performance features the company’s dancers accompanied live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra. Wee Hansel & Gretel is the perfect way for young families to discover the magic of ballet.

Recommended for age 3+

 

Hansel & Gretel Relaxed performance

Following on from the success of Scottish Ballet’s relaxed performance of Cinderella last winter, a special relaxed performance of Hansel & Gretel will be performed at Festival Theatre, Edinburgh on Tuesday 20 December. Scottish Ballet’s relaxed performances are specifically designed for people with a range of additional support needs and their families. They feature a relaxed attitude to noise and movement in the auditorium with small changes made to the light, sound and special effects of the show. The performance will be reduced to an hour long and ticket prices are significantly subsidised with a free ticket for a companion.

 

Education Activities

Audiences are invited to engage with Scottish Ballet on tour with a number of free pre and post show talks with members of the Artistic and Music teams, Family Insights with the opportunity to see costumes and set designs close-up, Wee Hansel & Gretel workshops for young children - and even a range of special Christmas Ballet Cafes with coffee, cake and conversation and the chance to dance!  Scottish Ballet is proud to be the first dance company in Europe that offered exclusive audio-described performances and touch tours and will be once again presenting both for Hansel & Gretel.

 

Hansel & Gretel media partner: STV

 

 

 

HANSEL & GRETEL LISTINGS:

TOURING SCOTLAND, NEWCASTLE & BELFAST WINTER 16/17

 

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Sat 10 – Sat 31 Dec 2016

Sat 10, Tue 13 - Sat 17, Tue 20 - Fri 23, Wed 28 - Fri 30 Dec – 7:30pm

Sat 10, Thu 15, Sat 17, Thu 22, Sat 24, Thu 29, Fri 30, Sat 31 Dec – 2:00pm

Tickets from £14.50 - £43.50

Box office: 0131 529 6000

 

Pre-show talks

Thu 15, Fri 16 & Thu 29 Dec

6:30 – 7:00pm

Hear about the making of the production direct from members of our Artistic and Education teams. Free event but places are limited, please contact box office to book.

 

Family insights

Sat 17, Thu 29 & Fri 30 Dec

11:00am – 12:30pm

Tickets from £6.50 / £4.50 conc

Recommended for age 6+

Learn about the characters, story and costumes of Hansel & Gretel in a way that will appeal to both young and old. You will get the chance to meet a Scottish Ballet dancer and then watch the Company take class on stage.

 

Audio described performance

Sat 17 Dec

2:00pm (Touch tour 12:30pm)

 

 

Theatre Royal, Glasgow

Thu 5 - Sat 14 Jan 2017 – 7:30pm

Sat 7, Thu 12 & Sat 14 Jan – 2:00pm

Tickets from £10 - £37 (booking fees apply)

Box office: 0844 871 7647

 

Pre-show talks

Fri 6, Thu 12 & Fri 13 Jan

6:30 – 7:00pm

Hear about the making of the production direct from members of our Artistic and Education teams. Free event but places are limited, please contact box office to book.

 

Family insight

Sat 7 Jan

11:00am – 12:30pm

Tickets from £5.50 / £3.50 conc

Recommended for age 6+

Learn about the characters, story and costumes of Hansel & Gretel in a way that will appeal to both young and old. You will get the chance to meet a Scottish Ballet dancer and then watch the Company take class on stage.

 

Audio described performance

Sat 14 Jan

2:00pm (Touch tour 12:30pm)

 

 

His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen

Wed 18 - Sat 21 Jan 2017 – 7:30pm

Thu 19 & Sat 21 Jan – 2:30pm

Tickets from £13.50 - £31.50 (booking fees apply)

Box office: 01224 641 122

 

Pre-show talks

Thu 19 & Fri 20 Jan

6:30 – 7:00pm

Hear about the making of the production direct from members of our Artistic and Education teams. Free event but places are limited, please contact box office to book.

 

Family insight

Sat 21 Jan

11:00am – 12:30pm

Tickets from £5.50 / £3.50 conc

Recommended for age 6+

Learn about the characters, story and costumes of Hansel & Gretel in a way that will appeal to both young and old. You will get the chance to meet a Scottish Ballet dancer and then watch the Company take class on stage.

 

Audio described performance

Sat 21 Jan

2:00pm (Touch tour 12:30pm)

 

Eden Court, Inverness

Wed 25 - Sat 28 Jan 2017 – 7:30pm

Thurs 26 & Sat 29 Jan – 2:00pm

Tickets from £16.50 - £30.50

Box office: 01463 234 234

 

Pre-show talks

Thu 26 & Fri 27 Jan

6:30 – 7:00pm

Hear about the making of the production direct from members of our Artistic and Education teams. Free event but places are limited, please contact box office to book.

 

Family insight

Sat 28 Jan

11:00am – 12:30pm

Tickets from £5.50 / £3.50 conc

Recommended for age 6+

Learn about the characters, story and costumes of Hansel & Gretel in a way that will appeal to both young and old. You will get the chance to meet a Scottish Ballet dancer and then watch the Company take class on stage.

 

Audio described performance

Sat 28 Jan

2:00pm (Touch tour 12:30pm)

 

Theatre Royal, Newcastle

Wed 1 – Sat 4 Feb 2017 – 7:30pm

Thu 2 Feb – 2:00pm

Sat 4 Feb – 2:30pm

Tickets from £14:50

Box Office: 08448 11 21 21

 

Grand Opera House, Belfast

Wed 8 – Sat 11 Feb 2017 – 7:30pm

Thu 9 Feb – 2:00pm

Sat 11 Feb – 2:30pm

Tickets from £12.50 - £39

Box Office: 02890 241 919

 

Pre-show talk

Fri 10 Feb

6:30 – 7:00pm

Hear about the making of the production direct from members of our Artistic and Education teams. Free event but places are limited, please contact box office to book.

 

Family insight

Sat 11 Feb

11:30am – 1:00pm

Tickets from £5.50 / £3.50 conc

Recommended for age 6+

Learn about the characters, story and costumes of Hansel & Gretel in a way that will appeal to both young and old. You will get the chance to meet a Scottish Ballet dancer and then watch the Company take class on stage.

 

Audio described performance

Sat 11 Feb

2:30pm (Touch tour 1:00pm)

 

Wee Hansel & Gretel listings

Created as a perfect way for young families to discover the magic of ballet - recommended for age 3+

 

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Fri 16 Dec 2016

3:00 – 4:00pm

Tickets: £15

Box office: 0131 529 6000

 

The performance of Wee Hansel & Gretel at Festival Theatre, Edinburgh is supported by Bailie Gifford.

 

Theatre Royal, Glasgow

Fri 13 January 2017

1:30 – 2:30pm

Tickets: £13

Box office: 0844 871 7647

 

His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

Fri 20 January 2017

1:30 – 2:30pm

Tickets: £14

Box office: 01224 641 122

 

Eden Court, Inverness

Fri 27 January 2017

1:30 – 2:30pm

Tickets: £13

Box office: 01463 234 234

 

Theatre Royal, Newcastle

Fri 3 February 2017

1:30 – 2:30pm

Tickets: £14

Box office: 08448 11 21 21

 

Hansel & Gretel Relaxed performance listing

Specifically designed for people with a range of additional support needs and their families

 

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Tue 20 Dec

1:00 – 2:00pm

Tickets: £12 (only available in person or by telephone)

Box office: 0131 529 6000

 

www.scottishballet.co.uk

 

EDITOR’S NOTES

Christopher Hampson biography

Christopher Hampson joined Scottish Ballet as Artistic Director in August 2012 and was appointed Artistic Director / Chief Executive of Scottish Ballet in June 2015.

Christopher trained at the Royal Ballet Schools. His choreographic work began there and continued at English National Ballet (ENB), where he danced until 1999 and for whom he subsequently created numerous award-winning works, including Double Concerto, Perpetuum Mobile, Country Garden, Concerto Grosso and The Nutcracker.

Christopher’s Romeo and Juliet, created for the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB), was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award (Best New Production 2005) and his production of Giselle for the National Theatre in Prague has been performed every year since its premiere in 2004. Christopher created Sinfonietta Giocosa for the Atlanta Ballet (USA) in 2006 and after a New York tour it received its UK premiere with ENB in 2007.

He created Cinderella for RNZB in 2007, which was subsequently hailed as Best New Production by the New Zealand Herald and televised by TVNZ in 2009. His work has toured Australia, China, the USA and throughout Europe. Other commissions include, Dear Norman(Royal Ballet, 2009); Sextet (Ballet Black/ROH2, 2010); Silhouette (RNZB, 2010), Rite of Spring(Atlanta Ballet, 2011), and Storyville (Ballet Black/ROH2, 2012).

Christopher is co-founder of the International Ballet Masterclasses in Prague and has been a guest teacher for English National Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and the Genée International Ballet Competition. Christopher’s work now forms part of the Solo Seal Award for the Royal Academy of Dance.

 

Engelbert Humperdinck biography

Engelbert Humperdinck was a German composer born at Siegburg in the Rhine Province in September 1854, best known for his opera Hänsel und Gretel.

After receiving piano lessons, Humperdinck produced his first composition when he was 7 years old. His first attempts at works for the stage were two Singspiele written at the age of 13. His parents disapproved of his plans for a career in music and encouraged him to study architecture; however he began taking music classes under Ferdinand Hiller and Isidor Seiss at the Cologne Conservatory in 1872. Two years later, he won a scholarship that enabled him to go to Munich, where he studied with Franz Lachner and later with Josef Rheinberger. In 1879, he won the first Mendelssohn Award given by the Mendelssohn Stiftung foundation in Berlin. He went to Italy and became acquainted with Richard Wagner in Naples, who then invited him to join him in Bayreuth and during 1880 and 1881 Humperdinck assisted in the production of Parsifal. He also acted as music tutor to Siegfried, Wagner's son.

His reputation rests highly on his opera Hänsel und Gretel, which he began work on in Frankfurt in 1890. It all started when he was accompanying a puppet show his nieces were giving at home. Then, using a libretto by his sister Adelheid Wette loosely based on the version of the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, he composed a Singspiel of 16 songs with piano accompaniment and connecting dialogue. By the start of 1891 he had begun working on a complete orchestration.

On 23 December 1893, the opera premiered in Weimar. Richard Strauss, conductor, called it "a masterpiece of the highest quality... all of it original, new, and so authentically German." With such original synthesis of Wagnerian techniques and traditional German folk songs, Hänsel und Gretel was an instant and overwhelming success.

Hänsel und Gretel has always been Humperdinck's most beloved work. In 1923 it was chosen by the Royal Opera House (London) to be their first complete radio opera broadcast and eight years later, it was the first opera transmitted live from the Metropolitan Opera (New York). To this day it remains a worldwide favourite.