The sign on the wall said of their house said, Home Sweet Home, but for young Hansel and Gretel life wasn’t so sweet.
Scottish Ballet’s fabulously enchanting interpretation of the classic Grimm Brother’s fairytale is on at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness this week – and it’s a show not to be missed.
Thomas Edwards as Hansel and Constance Devernay as Gretel, pulled off that tricky act of making the audience believe they are young, innocent children who live with parents who love them, but prefer to spend their money on booze and cigarettes rather than home comforts.
The siblings also miss their school chums who have gradually been disappearing.
Instead of sticking to the original Grimm version which sees the brother and sister dumped in the woods, choreographer Christopher Hampson has them sneaking off an adventure to find their chums.
A combination of fabulous set, superb costumes and wonderful dancing make this 200-year-old tale fresh and magical.
The gingerbread house really does look good enough to eat, while the wonderful music written by Englebert Humperdink, adds layers of danger and excitement.
All the lead and support dancers were superb but for my money, the outstanding star of this performance was Grace Horier who plays the school teacher, a beautiful fairy-like creature and the evil witch.
She quickly bewitched Hansel and Gretel – and everyone in the audience.
But it was when she transformed from a graceful creature into an ugly, wicked witch, the she really came into her own, darting round the stage in a way that was both scary and funny.
At times, this interpretation of the old story had a panto-like quality while a hint of evil was never far away.
With flawless and emotive performances from the professional dancers, who were joined by talented young local dancers, this is a ballet that’s not to be missed.
Scottish Ballet’s Hansel and Gretel is at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness until Saturday, January 29.