Hansel
and Gretel
seen as part of the Bank of Scotland Children's
International Theatre Festival UK Premiere
Version by Gruppe 38 from J. Grimm's fairytale
Company - Gruppe 38 from Denmark
Director - Hans Rønne
Venue - Traverse Two Edinburgh
Date - Public performance 2 June at 2.30pm and 3.45pm, and 3
June at 12.30pm
Tickets - From Traverse Box office 228 1404
Running time - 35 mins approx performed in English for 7yrs+
Reviewer - Ksenija Horvat
Hansel and Gretel has been hailed in Festival Director's notes as 'one
of the finest children's shows of this and any other year', and it really
lives up to its reputation.
Bodil Alling is terrific as a storyteller of the classic Grimm
fairy tale about the siblings' adventure in a wicked witch's pancake
house. Her performance is as engaging with the young audience as it
is enchanting. The music performed and composed by the very talented
Søren Søndberg, with the poetry and visuals can all only be described
as breathtaking and delightfully imaginative.
In this production, the Moon soars from a tiny projector to cast her
beams upon the enchanted forest; the storyteller's white robe turns
into reflections of children's dreams, a pancake house and the flames
- and the lighting transforms the simple set into a battleground between
good and evil.
A single shadow is cast across this gripping, provocative and magical
piece of theatre. Namely, Alling's use of a German accent, when enacting
the wicked witch, is a highly questionable approach to the personification
of evil.
Overall though, this is a must for all over 7.
© Ksenija Horvat 30 May 2001
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