Northern Ballet promote environmental message in new show Hansel & Gretel touring to Buxton and Mansfield

Northern Ballet will present a reimagined version of the story which was originally published by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. Hansel & Gretel will visit Mansfield Palace Theatre on April 29 and Buxton Opera House on May 27, 2025.

In this environmental version of the tale, Hansel & Gretel take a trip into the forest, unaware of the damage they leave behind. When they get lost, the siblings meet a host of spirited friends who teach them how we can all better look after the planet - and have some fun along the way!

To coincide with the ballet’s message, most of the sets and costumes will be sustainably created with recycled materials. Northern Ballet’s highly skilled technical team have been working hard to source appropriate materials, such as collecting cans and bottles as materials for a character’s costume. This means the company can reduce their own carbon footprint whilst encouraging others to do the same.

The 40-minute ballet is designed for children aged three and above and their families to experience live dance, music and theatre together. It is the latest in Northern Ballet’s extensive repertoire of award-winning ballets for children, which have been touring around the UK for over a decade, including Tortoise & the Hare which concluded its tour in May. Their other ballets include the hugely successful Three Little Pigs, Elves & the Shoemaker, Ugly Duckling and Goldilocks & the Three Bears, some having been shown in cinemas across the UK and all of which were adapted for TV by CBeebies.

Hansel & Gretel will be choreographed by Northern Ballet company dancers George Liang and Harris Beattie. The two have starred in various named roles in many of Northern Ballet’s recent productions and have choreographed for the company previously in Northern Ballet’s Sketches, a programme that showcases new choreographic talent. The ballet will be performed to live music which will be composed by Colin Scott, Northern Ballet’s company pianist.

There will be two performances in Mansfield on April 29, at 1pm and 5pm. Tickets £10 (adult), £8 (child), go to www.mansfield.gov.uk/palacetheatre. Buxton will host three performances on May 27, at 11am, 1pm and 3pm (relaxed performance). Tickets cost £13 (adult), £10 child, go to www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk