Composer: Grant Olding
Director and Choreographer: Drew McOnie
This Northern Ballet production is sheer delight. It’s a magical story of a world that’s unfamiliar to us, with warring kingdoms, unfairness and cruelty (actually, is it so unfamiliar?), but with universal themes of family, love and finding your place in the world at its heart. The programme details the story – which is as complex as any Shakespearean plot – but actually the ballet works perfectly without explanation. It is an absolutely joyous experience on many levels, where everything comes right in the end and the goodies win. A perfect introduction to ballet for people of any age.
It’s the prequel of the story of Merlin the wizard, famous from the story of King Arthur and the Round Table. How did Merlin come to be? What’s his back-story? Drew McOnie creates his version. Merlin is discovered as a baby by a blacksmith and raised by her. His birth parents, The Lady of the Lake and Helios the Sun God, are always in the background when Merlin needs them, conjured in his dreams, giving him courage and showing him the way.
McOnie created Merlin as a story for families, about growing up different. “A simple and intimate story… of a young man who learns that perhaps the thing that makes him different is the very thing that gives him magic.”
Kevin Poeung as Merlin is a complete joy. He perfectly displays the ups and downs in Merlin’s life, the frustrations and elation as he loses and rediscovers his powers. He embodies the spirit of a young man discovering his place in the world and wanting to do the right thing. He has a Puck-ish innocence which is ideal for the role. Amber Lewis plays the blacksmith convincingly too, capturing her strength, power and bravery, but also the tender love of a mother for a son.
One of the most visually arresting scenes is in the Lake, where Merlin’s birth mother swims and shows him how to trust in himself. Her swooping and diving is absolutely joyous.
But pride of place must go to the dragon! A magnificent metallic puppet, lit from within, with flashing eyes and breathing fire, operated seamlessly by a Albert Gonzalez Orts. Merlin encounters the fiery dragon in the woods, where it is tethered by a chain. Merlin recognises that the dragon is actually afraid and distressed and so he releases him from the shackles, creating a friend for life. It’s hard to describe how touching the subsequent scenes of their friendship are – the dragon laying it’s head on Merlin’s shoulder asleep for example – the dragon becomes flesh and blood, not an inanimate puppet. Rachael Canning also created two dog puppets, which are similarly arresting.
The set design by Colin Richmond is magnificent. Large, metallic structures set the scene and impressive individual pieces – a gnarled tree and a series of three arches that the dancers move seamlessly to create the impression of long, claustrophobic corridors leading to a prison cell – are all incredibly simple and yet hugely evocative.
A thoroughly enjoyable experience – whether you’re a fan of ballet or a newcomer – don’t miss it.
Runs until 8th November 2025, before continuing on tour
The Reviews Hub Star Rating
100%
A joyful, exuberant, delight