Royal Winnipeg Ballet brings Hansel & Gretel to the Centennial Concert Hall this October
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) is set to whisk audiences away on a candy-coloured adventure this fall with the Winnipeg premiere of Hansel & Gretel. Running October 9–12 at the Centennial Concert Hall, the production promises a mix of whimsy, humour, and world-class dance in a fresh reimagining of the Brothers Grimm classic.
Direct from the Royal New Zealand Ballet, this staging by choreographer Loughlan Prior combines cinematic flair with fairytale charm. Audiences can expect a dazzling mix of monochrome silent-film stylings and bursts of kaleidoscopic colour, all set to an original jazz-infused score by Claire Cowan. With lavish sets and costumes by Kate Hawley and lighting by Jon Buswell, the ballet unfolds in a dreamscape filled with eccentric characters, gingerbread men, glittering fairies, and one very mischievous witch.
RWB Artistic Director Christopher Stowell says the production is a feast for both the eyes and the imagination.
“Hansel & Gretel is one of those rare productions that sweeps you away the moment the curtain rises,” Stowell shared. “It’s alive with theatrical invention, inspired by vintage vaudeville, and pairs world-class artistry with sheer fun at the theatre.”
Performances and special events
Each performance of Hansel & Gretel offers audiences more than just the show:
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Thursday, Oct. 9, 7:30 pm – Complimentary pre-show chat with Christopher Stowell.
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Friday, Oct. 10, 7:30 pm – Pride Winnipeg Night, featuring a costume contest, a backstage tour ($20), and a pre-show chat with conductor Jean Claude Picard.
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Saturday, Oct. 11, 2:00 pm – Community Matinee: a shorter, family-friendly performance.
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Saturday, Oct. 11, 7:30 pm – Exclusive Dinner & Ballet pre-show dining experience ($83) followed by an optional backstage tour.
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Sunday, Oct. 12, 2:00 pm – Pre-show chat with Christopher Stowell, plus a free Meet the Dancers event after the show.
Beyond the stage
The RWB has lined up a series of community events to extend the magic beyond the Concert Hall:
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Dinner & Ballet (Oct. 11): A three-course meal by Bergmann’s on Lombard, paired with a fireside-style conversation between Stowell and choreographer Loughlan Prior.
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Pride Winnipeg Night (Oct. 10): A celebration of creativity and self-expression in partnership with Pride Winnipeg.
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Hansel & Gretel Bakery Trail (Sept. 15–Oct. 8): Five Winnipeg bakeries—Jenna Rae Cakes, Fête Ice Cream and Coffee, Sugar Bloom, Sweet Impressions, and High Tea Bakery—will serve themed treats, with a ticket giveaway for participants.
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Pineridge Hollow Fair (Sept. 12–14): Pointe shoe decorating, crafts, and a Creative Movement class led by RWB dancers in full Hansel & Gretel costume.
A whimsical candy-themed photo booth will also be set up at every performance for audience selfies before and after the show.
A fairy tale reimagined
Originally premiering at the Wellington Opera House in 2019, Prior’s Hansel & Gretel was hailed as “bursting with artistry, surrealism, and dexterous humour” by Eyes on Wellington. In this retelling, two children escape hardship and cross paths with a deceptively sweet ice cream vendor—secretly a witch—leading them into a forest full of magical allies, temptations, and a battle of wits. Recommended for ages five and up, the ballet wraps up with a playful finale in which the witch’s tricks are outdone.
Tickets
Hansel & Gretel runs October 9–12 at the Centennial Concert Hall. Tickets start at $40 and are available at rwb.org or by calling 204-956-2792.