THE DARK CRYSTAL Is Being Adapted into a Ballet

I was mad then. I am mad now. And I will continue to be mad forever that Netflix cancelled The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. The prequel series to Jim Henson’s beloved 1982 film was one of the streaming site’s best shows. It improved upon the original movie and expanded the world of Thra in ways that offered many seasons worth of storytelling. The show combined compelling characters and plots with stunning visuals and world-class puppetry. It had everything, and now it’s gone. At least it’s gone from Netflix. Because Gelflings, Skeksis, and Podlings are returning in The Dark Crystal: Odyssey. Only, it’s not a movie or a TV show—it’s a ballet.

No, seriously. There’s going to be a Dark Crystal ballet.

Netflix

London’s Royal Opera House 2021-2022 season will include The Dark Crystal: Odyssey ballet. (Which we first learned about at io9.) That might sound made-up, but it’s very real. From the Royal Opera House’s announcement:

“The Royal Ballet presents Company Wayne McGregor in The Dark Crystal: Odyssey, a work for family audiences choreographed and directed by Wayne McGregor. Based on Jim Henson’s iconic 1982 film, this magical coming-of-age story brings together a team of world-class collaborators including artists Brian and Wendy Froud, composer Joel Cadbury, digital designers kontrastmoment, lighting designer Lucy Carter, dramaturg Uzma Hameed, costume designer Philip Delamore and face-and-body-artist Alex Box, with puppets and props from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.”

It’s unclear if the ballet will be based on the original film, the Netflix series, or one of the franchise’s published works. Odyssey could tell also its own story set in the world of Thra with characters we already know. What we do know for certain is that the ballet will involve puppets. It will also be a show “for family audiences.” Of course, with The Dark Crystal that should still mean plenty of darkness and terror.

We can’t say we hoped to see more of The Dark Crystal thanks to a ballet. But if it helps Netflix come to its senses, or leads some other network or streaming site to bring back the show, we’ll be dancing like Podlings.

Featured Image: Netflix