ROLL UP TO THE CITIZENS THEATRE THIS CHRISTMAS FOR A FESTIVE TREAT

Citizens Theatre presents
Hansel & Gretel
Written by Stuart Paterson
Directed by Dominic Hill

PRESS NIGHT Saturday 10 December 7pm
Reviewers welcome from Friday 9 December 10.30am

An irresistibly sweet treat this Christmas.

A magical adventure filled with wonder and surprise, Dominic Hill directs writer Stuart Paterson’s circus-inspired adaptation of classic fairytale Hansel & Gretel at the Citizens Theatre this Christmas from 6 December – 7 January.

Abandoned in a deep forest with no way home, Hansel and Gretel stumble upon an extraordinary circus. Enticed by a travelling company of acrobats, clowns and musicians, and the delicious smell of gingerbread, they are lured into the path of a cruel witch who plots to devour them.

Hansel & Gretel is a colourful big-top adventure filled with fun, laughter and suspense, recommended for ages 6+. Capturing all the splendour of the original tale with a generous pinch of Citz magic and some unexpected twists, Hansel & Gretel is a deliciously indulgent feast that all the family can enjoy.

Directed by Artistic Director, Dominic Hill this new Christmas production reunites with the talented creative team behind the Citizens’ five-star production of A Christmas Carol, which captivated audiences in 2014.

Designer Rachael Canning and Lighting Designer Lizzie Powell will bring the spectacle of the circus to the stage, creating a fairytale world of theatrical magic.

A weird and wonderful soundscape conjuring all the fun of the fair will be created by Hill’s regular collaborator Nikola Kodjabashia and performed live on stage by the company. As well as previous Christmas show A Christmas Carol, Kodjabashia has lent his distinctive style to Hill’s productions of This Restless House, Hamlet and Crime and Punishment in recent years.

A talented ensemble of actors will bring the characters to life. The cast includes John Kielty in the dual roles of Father and Lob and John O’Mahony as Orin, who both revisit the Citizens Theatre having appeared in A Christmas Carol.

Citizens Theatre Actor Intern Shaun Miller, most recently been seen on stage in Hill’s production of The Rivals, takes the role of Hansel. Fellow Actor Intern Chloe-Ann Tylor, who appeared in the Citizens’ acclaimed production of Trainspotting will play circus performer, Moff.

Karen Fishwick will play Gretel having freshly completed a tour of Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour with the National Theatre of Scotland which was performed across the UK and internationally with performances at National Theatre, London and Arts Centre, Melbourne, Australia. Previously she appeared at the Citizens in the 2014 production of Glasgow Girls.

The cast is completed by Irene Allen playing the roles of Hansel and Gretel’s wicked stepmother and a gluttonous witch, Richard Booth, Peter Collins and Jack Dorning.

For younger audiences, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland will present a brand new show for 3 - 6 year olds in the Citizens’ Circle Studio from 8 – 31 December. Simon’s Magical Christmas Socks by Andy McGregor is an intimate, interactive and fun-filled festive adventure about an ordinary boy who is given extraordinary socks from a mysterious stranger. When he finds out that Santa is in a pickle and needs his help, Simon, his magic socks and a merry band of friends set off on a fantastical adventure to rescue Santa and save Christmas. This year marks Andy’s third Christmas show for wee ones at the Citizens, following Flora’s Fairy Challenge and Eric the Elf’s Chaotic Christmas.

RELAXED PERFORMANCES
There will be relaxed performances for the matinee of Simon’s Magical Christmas Socks on 21 December at 2pm and the matinee of Hansel & Gretel on 4 January at 2pm.

These performances are aimed at audience members who would benefit from a more relaxed theatre environment, including people with an autistic spectrum disorder or sensory or communication disorder and their families.

The performances will be a supportive, relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for the whole family.

Performances of Simon’s Magical Christmas Socks take place in Circle Studio and Hansel & Gretel take place in the on Main Stage.

For both shows, audience members will be able to access the performance area before the show begins and will be free to leave at any time. A quiet room will also be provided in the theatre. Seating for Hansel & Gretel on the Main Stage is reserved and Simon’s Magical Christmas Socks in the Circle Studio is unreserved.

Please note that the age-recommendation for Simon’s Magical Christmas Socks is 3-6 years, and for Hansel & Gretel is 6 years+. Both shows are suitable for children, teenagers, adults and their families.

The Citizens Theatre is fully accessible with cafe, toilets and plenty of parking. A visual story for both relaxed performances will be available in due course.

Family tickets for Hansel & Gretel start from £33 for a family of three to £75 for a family of five.
Family tickets for Simon’s Magical Christmas Socks start from £21 for a family of three to £35 for a family of five.

More information about both Hansel & Gretel and Simon’s Magical Christmas Socks can be found on the Citizens Theatre’s website citz.co.uk.

Tickets available from the Citizens’ website citz.co.uk or by calling 0141 429 0022.

Hansel & Gretel is sponsored by Kirriemuir Gingerbread.

-ENDS-

For more information, interviews and images, or to request tickets, please contact Rachel D’Arcy, Interim Marketing Officer, rachel@citz.co.uk/0141 418 6232. Production images will be available to download from the Citizens Theatre flickr feed flickr.com/citizenstheatre

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Citizens Theatre is an iconic venue and theatre company based in the Gorbals area of Glasgow, Scotland.

Our building first opened as a theatre in 1878. The Citizens company was founded in 1943 by James Bridie, and the Citizens Theatre was permanently established in 1945. Since then it has been one of Scotland’s flagship producing theatres.

The Citizens has a distinguished history that continues today. We aim to present a mixture of contemporary versions of classic plays and new Scottish drama. We work with writers, directors and companies that have a reputation for producing outstanding work to deliver truly inspirational live theatre. We have extensive backstage workshop facilities and make our own sets and costumes.


LISTINGS
Citizens Theatre presents
Hansel & Gretel
Recommended for ages 6+

Writer       Stuart Paterson
Director       Dominic Hill
Designer       Rachael Canning
Lighting Designer Lizzie Powell
Composer       Nikola Kodjabashia
Movement Director Benedicte Seierup
Movement Director Lucien MacDougall
Assistant Director Izzie Milne Turner

Cast:
Irene Allan       Stepmother/La Stregamama
Richard Booth Conal/Monkey
Peter Collins Uncle Shoes
Jack Dorning Rab
Karen Fishwick Gretel
John Kielty Father/Lob
Shaun Miller Hansel
John O’Mahony Orin
Chloe-Ann Tylor       Moff

Suitable for 6+

Dates: Tuesday 6 December – Sat 7 January 2016 (times vary)
Preview: 6 December 7pm
BSL interpreted performance: 16 December 7pm
Audio Described performances: 13 December 1.30pm and 17 December 2pm
Captioned performance: 17 December 2pm
Relaxed performance: 4 January 2pm

Tickets: Adult £14 - £22 | Child £8 - £12

PRICES
Family Tickets available by telephone bookings or in person at the theatre

PREVIEW PERFORMANCE
Adult £10.50 | Child £6.50

RELAXED PERFORMANCE
All tickets £12.50
STANDARD PERFORMANCES
Adult £14 - £18.50 | Child £8 - £11

Family & Friends Discounts:
Family of 3 (1 child min) £33 - £45
Family of 4 (2 child min) £42 - £55
Family of 5 (3 child min) £47 - £65
PEAK PERFORMANCES
Adult £18 - £22 | Child £9 - £12

Family & Friends Discounts:
Family of 3 (1 child min) £42 - £54
Family of 4 (2 child min) £50 - £64
Family of 5 (3 child min) £58 - £75

CONCESSIONS
£3 off full price tickets for senior citizens, disabled and students
£5 Gorbals Card (max 4 tickets) & unemployed patrons

GROUPS
1 free additional ticket with every 10 booked
School Groups £8.50 (all performances)
Youth Groups £9.50 standard, £10 peak
Adult Groups (10 or more) £2.50 off each ticket

£2 online transaction fee applies

Full performance information available at: http://www.citz.co.uk/whatson/info/hansel_and_gretel/

Citizens Theatre presents
Simon’s Magical Christmas Socks
By Andy McGregor
For 3 – 6 year olds

TICKETS
Standard £8
Preview £5

Family and Friends Discounts
Family of 3 (1 child min) £21
Family of 4 (2 child min) £28
Family of 5 (3 child min) £35

Nurseries and Schools £6 + 1 free with every 10
Gorbals card £5

A £2 online transaction fee applies

Full performance information available from http://www.citz.co.uk/whatson/info/simons_magical_christmas_socks/

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