Sheffield Lyceum – until Saturday 8th November 2025
Reviewed by Claire Moore
5*****
Merlin tells the story of a young man discovering his extraordinary powers while caught between two kingdoms at war. The son of Helios and the Lady of the Lake, yet raised by a blacksmith, Merlin grows up torn between the power of his magical lineage and the simplicity of his human upbringing. As love grows across enemy lines and the battle between good and evil gathers pace, Merlin must decide how to use his magic. Choreographed by Olivier Award-winner Drew McOnie and inspired by the legend of the world’s most famous sorcerer, Northern Ballet brings the tale to life through striking dance and just the right touch of theatrical magic. From start to finish, the storytelling is beautiful, dramatic and absolutely captivating.
The staging is nothing short of stunning — powerful and beautifully executed. Scene changes happen so smoothly you barely notice them, yet they make it instantly clear where you are in the story. The set, lighting and projections work together to create a sense of scale that feels epic. The Lyceum’s stage, though lovely, is famously on the smaller side, but somehow Northern Ballet make it look so grand — from sweeping battle scenes to moments of quiet magic. It’s clever, confident design that adds to the drama without ever stealing focus from the dancers.
There are some especially beautiful touches with light, movement and flowers that feel like pure magic. A playful bath scene, filled with sparkles for bubbles, is so simple yet so effective — the kind of moment that makes you smile in wonder. Colin Richmond’s costumes bring both vibrancy and clarity to the stage, with bold, colour-coded designs so you always know which side of the battle you’re watching.
As for the dancers, they were all outstanding. I was in awe of their strength, power and agility — and how they made it all look so delicate and effortless. Yu Wakizuka stands out as Merlin. He brings a freshness and sincerity to the role. His power and agility are balanced with moments of quiet uncertainty, and it’s that combination that makes his performance so believable.
Alessia Petrosino is wonderful as the blacksmith who raises Merlin. Her transformation into a fierce protector shows her love for her son and provides real emotion. Amber Lewis makes a strong impression as Morgan Le Fae, evolving from a loyal general into a truly formidable force, while Julie Nunès brings a softer, gentler presence as Princess Ygraine. But I think my favourite moment came from Nida Aydinoğlu as the Lady of the Lake — the way she seemed to ‘swim’ across the stage with the help of the ensemble was just mesmerising to watch.
I’m not a regular ballet-goer, but by the end I was completely drawn into Merlin’s world. The combination of music, movement and storytelling was so powerful. It’s a reminder of how transportive dance can be — how it can tell a whole story without a single word. Northern Ballet have created something truly special here: a production that feels both epic and intimate, traditional yet fresh. Don’t dismiss this if you think ballet isn’t really your thing — it’s storytelling first and dance second, with enough emotion and spectacle to keep anyone hooked. Merlin really is a magical night out, and I loved every minute.
