AA Directions has two family passes to the Royal New Zealand Ballet 2023 season of Hansel & Gretel up for grabs!
This year the Royal New Zealand Ballet is reinterpreting the classic fairy tale, Hansel & Gretel, marking the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 70th year of production.
We asked Composer Claire Cowan and Choreographer Loughlan Prior what’s in store for Hansel & Gretelin 2023. (Spoiler alert: real gingerbread, snowing icing sugar and a nod to the world of drag).
The whimsical 2019 RNZB season of Hansel & Gretel. Photo by Stephen A'Court.
What we can expect from this rendition of Hansel & Gretel compared to its 2019 performance.
Loughlan: I’m going to put a lot more whimsy and comedy into the choreography. I’m proud of it; it has a lot of art. It connects well with young audiences but also the young at heart as there are a lot of double meanings in there.
Claire: We’re very audience-focused, especially in this ballet, in terms of having all the senses stimulated. The scent of fresh gingerbread is piped through the theatre when the gingerbread house gets built on stage. And guests will have an opportunity to eat gingerbread during intervals.
You’re kidding?
Loughlan: No! And icing sugar comes down from the roof! It's delightful, the whole thing.
Claire: The music is updated as well. The score is heavily influenced by the period in which we set the show, the 1920s and 30s. There’s a lot of fun jazz influence. The orchestra includes non-standard instruments like saxophone and harpsichord.
To be in to win one of TWO family passes (two adults and two children) to the 2023 season of Hansel & Gretel, enter your details in the form below. Competition closes at 11.59pm on 30 July 2023.
Explore more from AA Directions magazine while you're here:
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