Hansel and Gretel is a timely tale for Christmas and one that almost every child knows. What could be more apt than a cautionary tale of gingerbread lust turned dangerous, and of lessons learned about obeying your parents? So it makes sense that you'd take your child to see a live, musical performance of H&G at this time of year – what might be a little more controversial is that this production is in operatic format. Which makes it the perfect opera for beginners, both adults and children.
Setting aside the familiarity of the story, this is a good choice for greener opera goers because the music is by Engelbert Humperdinck rather than Wagner, and borrows from rousing German folk tunes and purposefully lilting waltzes in the same way that it borrows the story from the Brothers Grimm. Meaning it's a little bit sanitised in both cases, and there's enough repetition to have you humming along well after the curtain has fallen and the witch has become her own just deserts.
The Royal Opera's staging is colourful and slightly surreal – the kind of larger than life surreal that appeals to kids though – with a leafy forest and a wooden house with sloping walls (that does remind a little of
Gargamel's anti-smurf house). And the hardship the kids feel due to their empty bellies is the hardship of children who profess that the world isn't fair, rather than children who'd be put into care; even the witch with her zimmer-frame is more glamorous granny than hideous hag. So the whole effect is one of colour and slightly dark fun – she's still and old woman luring children into her gingerbread so she can eat them, remember! – which will give kids a thrill down their little spines rather than nightmares for weeks.
One of the reasons to see the Royal Opera, if you haven't already, is that the
Royal Opera House is really something – like a museum in red velvet and gilt. The charm of the building is enough to get you excited about it and to make sure you remember your experience afterwards. And if you want your kids to get into music then what better way to introduce them. Or just try something new yourself. It's appropriate Christmassy fun and will leave you feeling grateful for your own Christmas dinner, with or without a gingerbread house.
