Review: HANSEL AND GRETEL, Colour House Theatre

The Colour House’s retelling of Hansel and Gretel undoubtedly deserves five stars.

With lots of fun and thrills for the whole family, come and join brother and sister Hansel & Gretel as they forego their love of sweets and venture deep into the Weird Wild Wood where they meet a host of colourful creatures from Prue the Pigeon to a rapping gangsta Bumblebee called Buzzy-B!! But they must be brave – the wicked Witch Eucalypta is hungry and looking for her next feast!

What secret lies at the heart of the Dim Dark Dell?…   Will Eucalypta succeed?…   And who is the mysterious Green Man?

In an hour, we are entertained with the four-strong cast’s storytelling and singing. Phoebe Holmes as Gretel has a brilliant singing voice, with Aoife Scott as the witch being scary but an equally talented singer, captivating us when she sings her spell. Oli Harding does a hilarious number as The Bee, wearing the most ridiculous costume (designed by Phil Newman) and performing a great rap. 

We all know of the story of Hansel and Gretel but this retelling tells us a bit about the dangers of sugar and the pluses of being gluten free. It is an immersive experience for young theatre goers who were clearly engaged throughout. They shouted at Gretel to look for the crumbs and they all enjoyed helping her find Hansel in the woods.

Phil Newman, who also wrote the show, cleverly entertains children of a wide age range and admittedly adults too, with appropriate jokes and gags. We found ourselves laughing through most of the hour-long show. The clever additions of a bee, a pigeon and a green man adds colour to the already timeless tale we have all come to know and love.

We adored this show - highly recommended, Besties!

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Irene Bausas