Photographs by Pat Bromilow-Downing <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nCape Town City Ballet\u2019s A Christmas Carol, The Story of Scrooge <\/em>is excellent festive family fun, a classic-but-light lesson in the power of good over evil, of generosity over meanness. Real Christmas spirit stuff. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe cast, which often seems largely made up of children and child-like adults, delivers a jolly, heart-warming evening of playfulness and fairytale messaging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne of the highlights for this production is the inclusion of 23 of Cape Town\u2019s young dancers, who will join the 40 members of Cape Town City Ballet. The Company was delighted by the talent and enthusiasm of these future stars<\/em>\u201d Debbie Turner, CEO of Cape Town City Ballet <\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nFans addicted to the breathlessness normally induced by CTCB\u2019s slick modern routines see glimpses only of the dancers at their most impressive, their grace, precision and power showcased mostly in solos and pas de deux by the company\u2019s stars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Choreographer Veronica Paeper particularly maxes out on the freedom of depicting figures of Charles Dickens’ imagination: the spirits of Christmas past, present and future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOn the whole, this show\nis more heart-warming than heart-stopping. It is storytelling that makes everyone\nfeel good \u2026 dance with a little nod to pantomime. Well, it is Christmas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marcel Meyer as Ebenezer Scrooge, his first role in a professional ballet, can certainly dance but he is not a dancer first and foremost. He is an accomplished actor, having played various roles in the likes of Macbeth and Richard III. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The contrast of a thespian of gravitas surrounded by dancing children enhances the metaphor of good versus evil. Cynics can\u2019t help but be disarmed, surely, when they see that the closer Scrooge gets to redemption the looser his limbs become, the more he dances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The show is laden with meaning, but it is simple lessons, fable and metaphor \u2013 charming for adults, absolutely on target for younger audiences. Good conquers evil convincingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n