Unique Take on Timeless Tale

MEDIA RELEASE 13 July 2011

Unique Take on Timeless Tale

An anthropomorphic oven, fake bogies, an inflatable bottom - and no dialogue. The upcoming Court Theatre holiday show brings a beloved fairytale to life - with a big, fat twist.

HANSEL & GRETEL opens at the Aurora Centre on 20 July and runs for a strictly limited season until 23 July.

Writer and director Dan Bain, who created last year’s popular A Paint Box of Clowns, says audiences will see a show that incorporates physical comedy, clowning and mime into a unique retelling of the classic story.

“This interpretation is true to the original Hansel and Gretel story but uses music, sound effects and physical comedy rather than dialogue,” says Bain, “it’s telling the story in a way that hasn’t been done before and connects to kids of all ages.”

Bain says that the larger venue of the Aurora Centre “gives us a bigger playground to play in, so the set, costumes and performances are all larger-than-life.”

This will be The Court’s first children’s show since the February 22 earthquake, and Court Artistic Director Ross Gumbley says for a huge number of kids and parents, coming to a Court school holiday show is a big part of their holidays.

“We are focused on getting back to some sense of normality as soon as possible so it was really important to continue the tradition,” he says. The ticket price remains at $9 for all ages “ensuring everyone can come along and enjoy for less than a movie ticket”.