Here is a real Christmas Treat!

For quite a few years now, I have been a patron of "Northern Ballet." Last night they had a patron's event by Zoom, and were talking about this show from the 1990s when they were called "Northern Ballet Theatre."

It is, of course, a version of Dicken's story, but in my view, it is one of the best I have seen (multiple times live, and on DVD, and on a BBC broadcast over Christmas of around 1995.)

From the point of view of this site, the music is especially interesting, being largely based on carols, some well known, some less so. Theatrically the set design is superlative, being by Lez Brotherston, best known for the towers/barricade of the stage version of "Les Misérables". The show varies over broad humour and deep tragedy, and includes a somewhat horrific set of ghosts. Also, some of the things the dancers do must have had the insurer's biting their nails. There is perhaps one bit of pure ballet {the candle dance) which is perhaps too long for people who are not into ballet, but otherwise I think the show is perfect for "My first ballet."


Anyway, during the Zoom meeting they mentioned that the full version of the ballet is available on YouTube and they seemed quite comfortable with it being available. They have not performed it live for a decade or two, so I think they see the youtube version more as advertising than a threat to their income.

When you have about 90 minutes to sit and watch, I highly recommend it.


Northern Ballet Theatre's "A Christmas Carol"