Review - Hansel and Gretel
December 2, 2008
Venue: Northern Stage
Date Reviewed: 2nd December, 2008
Northern Stage have given a North East twist to the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Hansel and Gretel and turned it in to their Christmas show. This adaptation by Stephen Sharkey puts the action firmly in Kielder Forest, with plenty of local references and Geordie accents.
We first meet Hansel and Gretel as their evil stepmother, excellently played by Libby Davison, is preparing to give birth and their father, nicely portrayed by Tony Neilson, returns home once more without food or a job. The pair are sent to bed hungry, before deciding to run off in to the woods.
Once in the woods they encounter The Beast of Kielder Wood , a larger than life colourful character played Pat Dunn, and Gretel is left to rescue Hansel herself after his incarceration, with the assistance of cat, who is not just any the run of the mill moggy.
We know our duo, played by Scott Turnbull and Lisa McGrillis will be saved as the moon watches over them and a happy ending is assured. Victoria Elliott, who as the moon, spends almost the entire show crossing the stage on swing, is a delight to watch and listen to.
There is no doubting this production, directed by Erica Whyman, keeps all the family entertained and the special effects are very good. But I felt Neil Murrys designs fell short of the magic promised by the marketing material, which after last year’s production of A Christmas Carol and his Brief Encounter designs is a shame.
Overall there is enough action and comedy to keep children entertained and what matters most is my two daughters aged seven and eight loved it.
John Dixon
Comments
Got something to say?
-
Recent Posts
Advertisement
Other Regional Sites