Dance: The boss' new groove

ZooNation's
Ebony Scrooge
writer, director, choreographer Dannielle "Rhimes" Lecointe
with Leah Hill, Portia Oti, Malachi Welch, Liberty Greig, Deavion Brown, Elijah Smith, Jackie Kibuka, Lindon Barr, Megan Ingram, Melissa Bravo, Robert Dunkley-Gyimah, Sia Gbamoi
composer Michael "Mikey J" Asante
sets Joanna Scotcher • costumes Natalie Pryce
lighting Charlie Morgan Jones • sound Sarah Victoria
Sadler's Wells East, Stratford • 26.Nov.25-4.Jan.26 ★★★★★

With plenty of attitude, the gifted team at ZooNation breathe fresh new life into the Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol, transforming it into a fabulous explosion of hip-hop set in London's fashion world. For this first holiday production at Sadler's Wells East, the story has been carefully reworked to draw attention to themes of legacy and cultural impact, expressed through buoyant choreography and a range of soaring songs. It's impossible not to stand up and cheer at the end.

Ebony (Leah Hill) runs her design house with an iron fist, like Miranda Priestly crossed with Cruella DeVil, specialising in striking black and white couture. But it's Christmas, and she refuses to give her workers time off, let alone a holiday party, while the rest of London celebrates in the streets. Then the ghost of her late partner warns her that she will be visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve. Present reveals the truth of her ruthless work ethic, while Future shows her the logical conclusion of this trajectory. After the interval, Past takes Ebony back to her Caribbean roots, forcing her to confront generational trauma and plot a new path forward.

Aside from cleverly reordering the spirits, this adaptation defines fewer side characters, principally Ebony's tearaway niece Freddie (Portia Oti) and grounded assistant Bob (Malachi Welch). They offer their own textures, with distinctive dance styles that contrast with Hill's skilfully sharp-edged moves. Welch steals the show with his seemingly weightless, swooping movements. Watching him float is exhilarating. But then everyone on-stage is also expertly popping, breaking, waacking and vogueing to an eclectic live mix of riotously uplifting tunes. 

The musicality of these performers is jaw-dropping, playfully diving into the wonderfully kinetic choreography, augmented by gorgeous lighting and costumes. While the plot is fairly simple, the ambitious thematic shift is important. Rather than a cautionary tale about greed and social connection, this version is a provocative comment on the importance of remembering your personal heritage. The designers could have perhaps pushed the shift from Ebony's monochrome empire to her technicolour transformation, but this show is an infectious blast of pure seasonal joy.

For details, SADLER'S WELLS >

photos by Pamela Raith & Johan Persson • 3.Dec.25