This week, from 8th to 12th April, Northern Ballet brought their performance of “Beauty & the Beast” to Capitole Ghent. In their press release, they stated this performance as: “ Northern Ballet bring their signature sparkle to a timeless love story. Featuring a dynamic choreography by David Nixon, flawless dance techniques, stunning sets, colourful costumes, and impressive theatrical expressions. This fairy-tale ballet is a must-see for audiences of all ages.”
My Impression
Upon attending Capitole Ghent, I was surprised to see the venue more crowded than I had expected for the evening, although only the parterre was filled - about 1,000 visitors.
The dancers of Northern Ballet were good. Their movements and performances stood out in this production. The set design was distracting in a negative way. The choice of scenes and props, particularly the sudden shift to a totally irrelevant scene on a motorway with a truck, felt misplaced and cheapened, diluting the fairy-tale aura that one would expect from this story.
The performance lasted just over two hours, which felt too long. While the dancers themselves did justice, the sets did not reflect their excellence. The decors were disappointing.
This production is certainly not cheap, given the numerous effects used. Yet, it felt more like an amateur who had been given a large budget to spend on gimmicks, rather than a set designer with good, modern taste.
Beauty & The Beast” by Northern Ballet left me with mixed feelings. The ballet offered a spectacle worth watching due to the dancers’ dynamic and skilled interpretations. However, the production elements -specifically the choice of scenery- left much to be desired. While certainly a treat for families with children, this rendition of a timeless tale struggled to fully capture the magic that "Beauty & The Beast" promises.
Pictures: The Northern Ballet | Tristram Kenton
Pictures: The Northern Ballet | Tristram Kenton