Grimm Tales

What a joy to see a packed audience at the lovely Playhouse Theatre on a very cold evening of 9thDecember 2022 for this production by the Lindley Players Youth group. This is the youth group’s first show since November 2020, and the current group of performers are fresh faced and new to performing with an audience. Well they were certainly fresh faced, but their enthusiasm and drive made short-shift of any nerves or hesitation. Their team work and dedication was very apparent. As was the evidence of their commitment to learning their script and mastering quite complex moves required to bring Phillip Pullman’s imaginative work to life.

It was clear from the chatting in the auditorium that the material was new to many adults, and was to be a revelation of how dark Grimm’s original work is. Certainly the attitude toward the ‘women’ was hilarious in today’s world of tentative progress toward the equality of the sexes. 

Little Red Riding Hood – was our introduction to the all-purpose, beautifully painted scenery. It’s complexity would become more apparent as our entertainment moved along. The Players' choreography would make use of every expanse, nook and cranny, before the evening was over. Well done to the ‘hood’ of five in this playlet – they quickly established the tone and sense of what was to follow. The shenanigans surrounding the wolf eating grandma put the audience at ease. The use of velcro was imaginative and effective in engineering her rescue. 

Hansel and Gretel was certainly a reminder of how ‘stepmothers’ got a bad name! Young Hansel and Gretel were very convincing as the innocent children gradually realising they had been abandoned in a perilous wood! As was the wicked stepmother who left no doubt how little she cared for them. The ensemble really brought the story to life – including the imaginative way to feature the White Duck.

The Juniper Tree – was new to me and the actors ably gave a super introduction to this very dark and complex fairy story – again with a wicked stepmother ‘centre-stage’. It was both tragic, and dare I say hilarious when the wicked stepmother’s demise occurs because a millstone was dropped on her. Very well played by a well rehearsed ensemble and imaginative direction. 

The Three Snake Leaves was also new to me. The intelligent players were very convincing in their parts – on one hand the ‘wicked’ faithless wife and on the other the honourable husband, prepared to die for his lady. They were absorbed by their parts and it was clear that the actors enjoyed the audience reactions as much as the audiences enjoyed their acting.

Rapunzel – Clearly relaxed, and fully realising that their audience were well and truly in the palm of their hands, the players clearly enjoyed their command of the stage. It was an absolute joy – and the props department really went to town with Rapunzel’s famous hair.

The evening concluded with standing ovations and thunderous applause. What a team! Congratulations to all participants, Lucie Nash Youth Group Leader, Director, Actors, and Creatives. In truth it would be unfair to name anyone individually because this production was truly a wonderful team effort. Including, I suspect, the family and friends who were in the audience that evening.

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