Calgary Opera's Hansel and Gretel: Embracing the Dark Edge with Puppetry
Calgary Opera has partnered with the Old Trout Puppet Workshop to present a unique production of Hansel and Gretel, which opens on Saturday, January 31, at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. While marketed as a family-friendly show suitable for children over six, this collaboration delves into the darker elements of the classic Grimm Brothers fairy tale, offering a thought-provoking experience for audiences of all ages.
A Perfect First Opera with a Twist
The production is billed as an ideal first opera for children and newcomers, but it does not shy away from the story's inherent scariness. Peter Balkwill, co-artistic director and founding member of the Old Trout Puppet Workshop, emphasizes that embracing fear is a crucial part of childhood development. He notes that the puppeteers intentionally lean into the tale's raw edges, drawing inspiration from Walt Disney's approach to storytelling, which often included moments designed to evoke emotion, including fear.
Puppetry Meets Traditional Opera
This version of Hansel and Gretel is based on Engelbert Humperdinck's 1893 adaptation, blending traditional opera with innovative puppetry. The cast features Australian mezzo-soprano Xenia Puskarz Thomas as Hansel, soprano Simone Osborne as Gretel, and mezzo-soprano Claire Barnett-Jones in dual roles as Gertrude and the voice of the Gingerbread Witch. The witch is brought to life through a hulking puppet operated by the Old Trouts, adding a visually striking and eerie element to the performance.
Exploring the Dark Side of Fairy Tales
The Old Trout Puppet Workshop has a history of creating children's shows that challenge conventional boundaries, such as The Tooth Fairy in 2001 and a collaborative Pinocchio with Alberta Theatre Projects in 2003. Balkwill explains that their productions often push that dark edge, allowing children to confront and work through fear in a safe environment. This philosophy is evident in the puppet designs for Hansel and Gretel, which highlight the story's more terrifying aspects without sacrificing artistic integrity.
Collaborative Excellence and Local Talent
Joining Balkwill on stage is fellow puppeteer Ali DeRegt, making her opera debut. DeRegt's work can also be seen in the Calgary-shot Apple+ series Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, showcasing the depth of local talent involved in this production. Since its initial development for Vancouver Opera in 2016, this iteration of Hansel and Gretel has evolved, with Balkwill observing that it consistently evokes a sense of child-like wonder in performers and audiences alike.
By combining operatic grandeur with puppetry's whimsical yet unsettling charm, Calgary Opera and the Old Trout Puppet Workshop offer a fresh take on a timeless story, proving that art for children can be both enchanting and intellectually stimulating.
