Northern Ballet - Merlin

‘Two kingdoms at war. A pair of star-crossed lovers. One boy with a whole lot of magic.’

This Wednesday, Northern Ballet’s Merlin came to Norwich Theatre Royal.

Choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Drew McOnie, excellence and elegance danced hand in hand throughout. There wasn’t a step wrong, and there was a thorough, clear vision behind every scene that impressed me to the core.

The theatre’s nationally-recognised staging was shown in full force during the performance. Never before have I seen such inventive and well-thought-out set design and lighting. A large golden square towered over the dancers, glistening a glamorous golden hue worthy of the Merlin name.

The plot was complex and fascinating. Detailed in the accompanying programme, the plot tells a remarkable tale of Merlin navigating his way through pressures and adversity, culminating in an extraordinary conclusion. This is theatre that demands your full attention. The world-building is admirable and impressive, but the plot moves at a pace which could leave some people behind. This became clear when a group of older attendees who sat before me caught each other up during the interval, and it was obvious some details had been passed over by each.

I was amazed by the cast, who never missed a beat. The passion and enjoyment emanated from them and was reflected in the response from the crowd. There was a rare ability to keep the crowd enthused that mystified me. Everything down to the elegant and beautiful clothes they wore had a rare attention to detail that helped immerse me and the audience even more. Each kingdom was given a distinct visual identity, with fabrics and silhouettes that brilliantly combined medieval aesthetics with a contemporary edge.

Drew McOnie’s choreographic language itself deserves a special mention. It’s a dynamic and athletic fusion, moving seamlessly from the lyrical precision of classical ballet during the lovers' scenes to a grounded explosiveness in the battle sequences and magical confrontations. Every single movement served the narrative, defining character and driving the plot forward with a clear, articulate vision. The entire company executed this demanding style with breathtaking stamina and precision, but what truly sold the performance was their palpable commitment. As I have said, the passion and dramatic energy radiating from the stage were infectious.

This was my first exposure to Northern Ballet and their productions, as well as one of my first forays into the stories of Merlin. I felt, through the grace of the performance, that I was welcomed into this world with open arms and left feeling as though I had been on an adventure I will remember.

One thing that Merlin prides itself in is its marvellous dragon. I can say confidently that it lives up to the reputation that has been spread by word of mouth. The dragon looked stunning, reflecting the stage light and feeling like a true, sinister presence (and later an unlikely ally).

The practical effects blew me away. As well as the dragon, massive set pieces were moved around at pace to keep each sequence fresh and accelerating. When every new location plays out before your eyes, and dancers and models move around like clockwork, it really is a masterpiece.

Equally commendable was the score, which provided the pulsating heart for the dancers' movements. It was a wondrous, beautifully orchestrated soundscape that swelled with epic grandeur during moments of conflict and softened to a tender, aching melody for the central romance. It was this seamless fusion of ambitious sound and striking style that truly immersed the audience in the world of Camelot, making the entire experience utterly unforgettable.

Rest assured there is something for everyone here. Young and old, casual fan or die-hard Merlin expert. It was a thrilling ride that was pieced together by a team of brilliant masters of their craft.

Northern Ballet is celebrated as one of the UK's foremost narrative ballet companies, renowned for its dynamic, theatrical, and story-driven productions that often reinterpret classic tales and literature. This production of Merlin, was a highly anticipated work that had its world premiere in 2021.

The 2025 national tour is a major revival of the critically acclaimed ballet, bringing its unique blend of magic, romance, and epic adventure to audiences across the country.

Challenging, intelligent and visually stunning.