Review: HANSEL AND GRETEL, Shakespeare’s Globe
Photo credit: Ellie Kurttz
If you are looking for an alternative festive show this Christmas season, Hansel and Gretel is one to add to your list. Returning for a second year, Simon Armitage’s version of the classic Brothers Grimm story captures our enduring fascination with fairytales and the lessons they teach.
The story of Hansel and Gretel is well known but for anyone who isn’t familiar, we follow a tale of two children who are abandoned in the woods by their parents in the hope of giving them a better life. The pair attempt to get home following a path that Hansel lined with breadcrumbs, but their journey is sidetracked when they meet a creepy old woman and are lured to her house made of sweets. Her nefarious and cannibalistic intentions are soon revealed but the children break free from her clutches and find their way back to their parents.
Directed by Nick Bagnall, Hansel and Gretel has a short 60-minute runtime that rattles through the action and keeps the attention of the young audience. Jenni Maitland’s energetic performance as the narrator ensures that we can follow the story which is beautifully told through a mixture of poetry and prose. Although, there were a few moments when we couldn’t hear clearly, but this is unfortunately one of the limitations of the unique outside setting of The Globe. The rain certainly wasn’t ideal for a press night, and one admires The Globe’s dedication to traditional theatre and storytelling.
Sound certainly wasn’t an issue for the wonderful music accompanied by a jazzy and punchy onstage band. The songs are catchy, fun and relatable, and brilliantly performed by the cast led by Ned Costello and Yasemin Özdemir as Hansel and Gretel. ‘Panic Attack’ and ‘Sugar Rush’ are highlights and bring a lively and merry energy to this quite serious festive show. The sentiment of ‘Lamplight’ is heartwarming and essential in communicating the message of love and family.
In this modern retelling, Simon Armitage has added the timely context of conflict; Hansel and Gretel are refugees escaping from war. However, one wonders if in a children’s show, marketed for everyone aged 5+, this statement will be missed. Fairytales are known for their sinister undertones and role in educating and warning children, but elements of this production feel slightly too dark for younger children. The choice of setting also means that the visual look of the production is inconsistent and has an almost grubby feel. Colourful costumes and dancing sparkly sweets contrast with muddy tents. At times, the large stage feels sparse, and it feels as though this production could have benefited from brighter and bolder visuals to create a real sense of magic.
This fresh and fun take on the classic story of Hansel and Gretel is confusing at times but an enjoyable and unique, quirky show to explore this festive season.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Sophie Luck
Hansel and Gretel plays at Shakespeare’s Globe until 5 January 2025, with further info here.
