Goldilocks The Ballet

The Let’s All Dance Ballet Company is currently touring Goldilocks the Ballet.

The Let’s All Dance Company seeks to bring ballet that is accessible to all the family. Goldilocks the Ballet is in essence a children’s show – but this should in no way suggest a production that is dumbed down or reduced in production and performance values. There is something in the production for all the family whatever their age.

Although billed as a ballet, Goldilocks feels more like watching a colourful silent movie. It’s packed with musical influences from traditional ballet orchestration, all the way through to the music of the 1930s and 1940s. The dance styles are also varied, including classical ballet, circus clowning, tap, even pantomimic balloon dancing.

It seems foolish to admit it, but I hadn’t realised just how musicality was involved in ballet. Unlike some musical theatre dance styles which sometimes seem to dance across or over the music, Box Office Radio’s own Jack Pallister’s choreography in this production highlights every semi quaver and milks every accent in the music to perfection.

In this adaptation of the classic story, the narrative is slightly expanded which has the effect of removing some of the naughtiness from Goldilocks and placing the villainy on a new character ‘Selfish Sid’ who sets out to steal Goldilocks’ life-giving honey. This change of emphasis allows Holly Moon-Griffith to shine in the titular role, using her whole body to tell the story. Selfish Sid is my favourite character. Who knew you could dance and show you are tired at the same time?! James Aiden Kay’s fluid moves make his character as slippery as an eel whist his dance has all the best aspects of musical theatre without any suggestion of campness.

The Bear family: Jack Pallister, Melanie Cox, and Hannah Smith move the story along at pace. If there was ever a worry that the younger members of the audience might be bored with a dance show, there was no need. From being encouraged to sign/mime emotions, to booing the baddies, the production ensures the youngest attendees are fully engaged.

This performance was reviewed at the Lillian Baylis Studio at Sadler’s Wells in London.  The venue allows an intimacy to the production which means the detail of the dance can be seen by all and the production appears to have attracted families from all over. Sadly, at this venue there were a couple of sound issues, although the dancers carried on with utter professionalism, as though they had the music running through their veins. When the music returned, not a foot was out of place, or a beat missed.

This is an excellent ballet entry point for audiences of all ages and certainly a rebuttal to those who say that ballet is an elitist art for a small proportion of society. As an entry point to the world of dance this show is not too long and not too short. Indeed, I’m sure Goldilocks would say it’s just right! Goldilocks the ballet continues its tour until the end of July – details to be found at Goldilocks – Lets All Dance (lets-all-dance.co.uk) as well as details of future ballet productions.

This show was reviewed on the 29th May 2024.

**** stars

The Revd Paul Wood

You can hear Paul on the Afternoon Show every Wednesday and Friday between 3pm-6pm here on Box Office Radio

You can also catch Jack Pallister presenting The Saturday Club with Jordan Langford every Saturday at 10am

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