Rapunzel

Published Thursday 27 December 2007 at 15:35 by Katie Colombus

Fairytales in the theatre are often swallowed up by commercialism, especially in the Christmas season. Not so Kneehigh theatre’s production. This is a show of which the Brothers Grimm themselves would approve. Tapping into the dark desires of its first authors, Kneehigh’s retelling of Rapunzel magically recreates the darkness and fantasy that could easily have been replaced by spangly costumes, washed-up soap stars and bawdy humour.

A multi-talented cast of musicians, actors and physical theatre performers work together to create a delightful piece of theatre that combines the historical, the contemporary and the populist, as they follow the early Italian template for commedia dell’arte, whilst including modern references.

Set in the round on two joined spherical stages, flowers grow, butterflies flit, chase scenes are acted out and adventures are conquered.

We meet a magic pig, a real-life bunny, a herbalist, an emperor and thieves, conmen and lovers. Rapunzel’s tower is cleverly constructed by use of a swing that dangles perilously centre stage, where her mother, who found her as a baby in a herb garden, has locked her, for her own safety. Her long hair is a knot of raven black dreadlocks, which are sadistically hacked off when Rapunzel finds a suitor, in the form of Patrizio, heir to Tuscany.

In this tale of love, liberty and redemption, Edith Tankus plays Rapunzel as a feisty femme, searching for her love, who is not dependent upon her prince for her rescue, but to complete her as an equal in partnership. Her Patrizio is played with humour by Pieter Lawman, and her Mother Gothel will stick in the memory for the panto-dame that is Mike Shepherd. Outrageously naughty, played with sass and humour, the show has children and adults alike rolling in the aisles.