Hansel and Gretel at Chiswick Playhouse

Chiswick Playhouse will bring an enchanting, reimagined take on the classic story of Hansel and Gretel to families this festive season.

Playing from 4 December to 4 January, the show features a dazzling original soundtrack, providing a musical extravaganza that will surely transport audiences to a fascinating candy-filled land this Christmas.

Hansel and Gretel continues in the spirit of Chiswick Playhouse's previous family productions, such as The Little Match Girl and Stig of the Dump, taking audiences on an exciting adventure away from the realm of computer games and social media to a charming forest with a tap-dancing cockroach, lollipops and a candycane house made of cake and sweets.

As Hansel and Gretel become lost among the silver trees, they find themselves in the snare of a witch with a penchant for single-use plastic and a hankering for the only remaining sustainable food source: children.

The show's original music is from award-winning British composer Leon Parris (Bananaman The Musical, Enid Blyton's The Famous Five, Stig of the Dump).

Directed by Lucy Jane Atkinson (A Hundred Words for Snow, Trafalgar Studios; Vespertilio, VAULT Festival), this reconceptualisation of the classic tale takes inspiration from environmental and climate activist Greta Thunberg as children take to the streets to combat the climate crisis and save their future.

The production will be filled with hilarious twists and turns, with an inescapable relevance for today's younger Extinction Rebellion generation.

As challenges are overcome and lessons learnt, it is also a reality check that soon there might not be any forests to get lost in.

Lucy Jane Atkinson commented ...

"I'm thrilled to be directing such a hilarious and timely new take on this classic story as part of the first season at Chiswick Playhouse.

It's a beautiful space and I'm honoured to be part of an incredible team of creatives bringing this magical show to life.

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