Unique Take on Timeless Tale
Thursday 14 July 2011, 7:15PM
By RedPR
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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”.
Actors Hamish Parkinson and Monique Clark play Hansel and Gretel, while Dan Allan plays the various other characters they encounter; including the wicked witch.
Dan Bain says the strictly limited four-day season for HANSEL & GRETEL means tickets will be snapped up even more quickly and encourages those keen to see the show to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
HANSEL & GRETEL, written and directed by Dan Bain
CAST: Dan Allan, Monique Clark and Hamish Parkinson
PERFORMANCES 11am & 1pm Wednesday 20 July – Friday 22 July, 11am Saturday 23 July The season is strictly limited to four days only
TICKETS: All tickets $9
BOOKINGS: 963 0870 or www.courttheatre.org.nz
For further information, images and interviews, please contact Jeff Clark, Communications Manager
PH: 021 1199187 or email communications@courttheatre.org.nz