Hansel & Gretel

After wrapping up this year's 'Tutus On Tour', Royal New Zealand Ballet is back to stage a new two-act ballet production, 'Hansel & Gretel'. This major premiere is set to grace nine intimate venues, hitting Wellington, Palmerston North, Napier, Christchurch, Invercargill, Dunedin, Auckland and Takapuna this November.

'Hansel & Gretel' promises to bring many of New Zealand's creative talent together to tell a timeless tale for audiences young and old. The story is about two hungry children who stumbled 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.

RNZB Choreographer in Residence, Loughlan Prior, has built up a significant body of work as a choreographer and filmmaker—creating works for RNZB members as well as for diverse New Zealand companies and creative partners; and for performances and film festivals in Australia, Germany, France, Canada and the USA. Loughlan was the winner of the RNZB's inaugural Harry Haythorne Choreographic Award in 2015, and Creative New Zealand's Tup Lang Choreographic Award in 2016. His 'The Long and The Short of It'—inspired by Sir Jon Trimmer—enchanted New Zealand audiences during 2018's 'Tutus on Tour'.

The tour will be accompanied by Claire Cowan's specially commissioned score. Currently at the forefront of compositional talent in New Zealand, Claire has received significant commissions and awards from orchestras such as the Auckland Philharmonia and the NZSO National Youth Orchestra. She has recently won a prestigious Silver Scroll for her Television series soundtrack 'Hillary'. Her classical concert work is unique in that it seamlessly merges art music and popular idioms, offering a strong connection to audiences. Since 2010, Claire has directed the popular 'Blackbird Ensemble'—a theatrical orchestra dedicated to performing rarely heard music of all genres. 'Hansel & Gretel' will be the first full length ballet score ever commissioned from a female composer.

Book your seats early and don't miss this fascinating theatrical piece this November!