Northern Ballet revives festive classic A Christmas Carol

As the clock strikes midnight, join Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future through family fire-sides, cold winter nights and the promise of a brighter future.

A festive feast for the senses, Northern Ballet re-imagines Charles Dickens’ classic seasonal tale, A Christmas Carol, in a spectacular production blending traditional ballet and captivating theatre.

Directed by Christopher Gable and choreographed by Massimo Moricone, with production design by Lez Brotherston and music by Carl Davis, the beloved show is at Leeds Grand Theatre for three weeks in December.

Yu Wakizuka in rehearsal for A Christmas Carol (Image: Northern Ballet)

The production premiered in 1992 at the Theatre Royal, Bath, where it broke box office records and was an instant hit with audiences. Following the company’s revival of Romeo and Juliet this year, Artistic Director Federico Bonelli has continued the trend of revisiting Northern Ballet’s retired landmark productions, to the delight of longtime supporters and new audiences.

Says Federico: “Alongside exploring new stories that connect, I am passionate about preserving the heritage of Northern Ballet. This signature piece from the era of Christopher Gable was a landmark moment in the company’s history and continues to be beloved by our audiences, which is why I’m so excited to return it to the stage this winter.

“Charles Dickens’ classic tale of redemption, with its message of human kindness and compassion, is something that resonates with us all, especially at this time of year. Its iconic characters lend themselves so well to ballet and I look forward to seeing audiences of all ages enjoying the show with us over the coming months."

Julie Charlet as the Ghost of Christmas Past with Darren Goldsmith as Scrooge (Image: Bill Cooper)

With colourful sets and costumes by Lez Brotherston and Carl Davis’ festive score, blending classical music with popular carols sung by the company, the show takes audiences back to a traditional Victorian Christmas - with a spooky twist.

Jonathan Hanks, who plays Ebenezer Scrooge, has been working with Jeremy Kerridge, who created the role in the original Northern Ballet production in 1992.

* Jonathan, how have you been preparing to play Scrooge?

“I’ve been prepared intensively with Jeremy Kerridge, who has given me so many useful insights into how to play the character. But of course I have my own ideas. How wonderful to play somebody that has two distinct sides to him, romantic and mean.”

Jonathan Hanks as Scrooge (Image: Guy Farrow)

* Why do you think his story has stood the test of time?

“Because it’s a story about the regeneration of the human spirit - going from negative to positive. It’s a story of redemption and everybody loves a story about a soul that’s been saved.”

* How do you get into character before performances?

“I get my brain into Scrooge mode on my way to the theatre and as our wigs and make-up teams applies my make-up the character stares back at me in the mirror. It’s strange changing from a young man into an old man!”

Jonathan Hanks being transformed into Scrooge (Image: Emily Nuttall)

* What’s your favourite scene to dance in the ballet?

“The solo getting dressed to go to the parade of plenty. It’s the only time in the ballet where I can really be happy and express my joy and love for dance and communicating happiness to the audience. And it’s ending everything on an optimistic note.”

* How do you ‘de-Scrooge’ after a show?

“I treat myself to a facial with face masks as I feel my skin needs it after all the ageing make up and making Scrooge faces!”

* How will you be celebrating Christmas this year?

“With my family in Gloucester. We are a very close family and I love Christmas with my loved ones.”

* Do you have any interesting Christmas traditions?

“We always watch the Monarch’s speech, we wear party hats, pull crackers and show our love for each other.”

“Are you am Ebenezer Scrooge or a Bob Cratchit at heart?

“I think I’m a very generous person and very loving - so all my friends tell me!”

Bold and innovative, Northern Ballet is one of the UK’s leading touring ballet companies, dedicated to creating “stories that connect”.

The Leeds-based company has a mission to bringing ballet “to as many people and places as possible”, under the leadership of Federico Bonelli. The company, which include dancers from Bradford, performs a combination of its full-length ballets and specially created ballets for children at more than 30 venues annually.

The Academy of Northern Ballet provides classical ballet training for hundreds of students, locally in Yorkshire and to students who travel nationally and internationally to train with the faculty. Audiences can also enjoy Northern Ballet’s work online through its digital dance platform.

The company’s 2025 season begins with Cathy Marston’s critically acclaimed Jane Eyre, in March. Expect romance, jealousy and dark secrets as the dance actors bring Charlotte Bronte’s gothic masterpiece to life, in a formidable school-room, towering manor house and sweeping Yorkshire moors, with stirring choreography and live music.

Also next year, Northern Ballet presents its cinematic production of Merlin, featuring world-class dance, puppetry and illusions. When young sorcerer Merlin is adopted by a blacksmith mother and gifted with mysterious powers, he grapples with the origin and purpose of his magic. With kingdoms on the brink of war, he becomes the key to ending conflict, in a tale of heartbreak, hope and the transformative power of magic.

The ballet was created by acclaimed choreographer Drew McOnie, who won an Olivier Award for In the Heights. Merlin blends McOnie’s West End style with Northern Ballet’s signature narrative ballet.

The company has also announced a new ballet, Gentleman Jack, set to open in Leeds in 2026 ahead of a UK tour. The show is the story of Anne Lister, the 19th century Halifax landowner who lived as she desired and blazed her own trail.

* A Christmas Carol is at Leeds Grand Theatre from December 17 to January 4, 2025. Visit leedsheritagetheatres and northernballet.com