Grim, cruel, even gruesome at times and, one might think, not a suitable tale to be told for a family audience in the festive season. And yet, this collection of eight fairy-tales, rewritten by Carol Ann Duffy and sparingly adapted for theatre by Melly Still and Tim Supple, is hugely entertaining in the hands of Liverpool-based Spike Theatre.
Mark Smith’s young cast, including two apprentice actors from the Brewery’s youth theatre scheme, delivered the stuff of nightmares with great skill, switching instantly to boisterous and imaginative comedy providing a safe haven and comfort after the nightmare.
The pace is fast, the unique setting using canvas, ropes and pulleys designed by Kevin Pollard enables swift changes of scene, Matthew Wood’s original music highlights both drama and comedy with the costumes, hired from the New York Met, and places the whole evening in the realms of fantasy. Each actor is given the chance to take the lead in one tale before supporting fellow cast members in the next, often changing from human to animal. This is ensemble playing at its very best, making energetic use of the Brewery’s large stage.
This production is not for the very young but adults will be reminded of their own childhood fears while children see good triumph over evil.
Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, December 7-December 31
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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