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Hansel and Gretel
Citizens Company
An original twist on the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale. Christmas at the Citizens brings inventive storytelling accompanied by original live music in an intimate theatre where everyone can feel part of the story. Watch Trailer.
Hansel and Gretel are like any brother and sister. Cheeky and mischievous, they squabble with each other all day and live a happy life with their mother and father in the forest.
But their world is turned upside down when a dreadful famine strikes the land and an envious, twisted old witch plots to have their father all to herself. Abandoned in the forest, Hansel and Gretel must stop their quarrelling and work together to defeat the wicked witch - and avoid being cooked for dinner!
Join Hansel and Gretel in a magical family show full of fun and suspense and beautiful songs. A new version by Alan McHugh.
Sponsored by Glasgow Dinearound.
Find out more about our FAMILY WORKSHOP.
You may also be interested in our Studio Christmas show Little Ulla for 3-5s.
Beautiful storytelling and Christmas fun for all the family
Main Theatre
User Rating ★★★★★
Rated: (5/5), based on 15 ratings
Recommended for 5+
Cast and Creative Team >
CAST
HANSEL
David Carlyle
VANYA
Jennifer Harraghy
ELSA
Lynn Kennedy
GRETEL
Gemma McElhinney
PETER
Jim Sturgeon
RCS ENSEMBLE
Philip Davide Atkinson
Sarah Kennedy
Cliodhna McCorley
PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR
Guy Hollands
WRITER
Alan McHugh
DESIGNER
Neil Haynes
COMPOSER & MUSICAL SUPERVISOR
Claire McKenzie
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Colin Grenfell
MOVEMENT DIRECTOR
Andrew Panton
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Amanda Gaughan
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Gavin Whitworth
PRESS
“director Guy Hollands proves, once again, that he has a real talent for capturing the enchanting essence of great fairytales…the epitome of theatrical style”
Daily Telegraph ★★★★
“inventively staged and persuasively acted…the happy ending is no cliché, but a loving hug that embraces us all.”
The Herald ★★★★
“theatrically thrilling…a Christmas show that is entertaining and thoughtful”
The Stage
“when the convincing sense of danger has the young audience scared to breathe – the power of a parent’s protective love still reaches out to defy evil. And it is so glorious, so ultimately reassuring, that waves of spontaneous applause erupted unbidden.”
The Herald ★★★★
“Jennifer Harraghy, who performs the role of the irredeemably evil witch, Vanya, exudes deserved confidence in both her impressive vocal range and her intelligently nuanced acting.”
Daily Telegraph ★★★★
“Both David Carlyle as Hansel and Gemma McElhinney as Gretel have a winning manner that involve the audience - Jennifer Harraghy’s Vanya is a classic villain, while Jim Sturgeon’s father Peter is manly and naive.”
The Stage
“If there was such a place as Pantoland, the Citizens Theatre would be an independent rebel state…Built on artistic integrity and ancient folklore, their Christmas exports are creative and original, denying spurious star turns a visa and attempting to reinvent stories which have fascinated us for centuries. And this fairy story is no different…a refreshing antidote to the traditional pantomime.
WhatsOnStage.com
“Guy Hollands’s production is probably the most coherent, elegant and dramatic Christmas show I’ve seen this year, beautifully designed by Neil Haynes and passionately written by Alan McHugh, with tremendous music by Claire Mackenzie for a four-piece classical ensemble.”
The Scotsman ★★★
“Jennifer Harraghy gives an astonishing performance as the witch, a towering, thrillingly-voiced embodiment of the shape-changing fury, bitterness and spite of the ageing woman unable to attract love.”
The Scotsman ★★★
Comments
Julianne Gow ★★★★★
18th October 2011
Hiya, i was wondering if you could help me. I work in a dementia unit within Erskine home for ex service men and women and think that they may particularly enjoy a visit to hansel and Gretel! Could you provide me with some more info and prices etc. and do you offer any sort of discount for the ex service men and women? many thanks Julianne Gow
Leave Your Comments
Glynis Wozniak ★★★★★
29th November 2011
Hi there, Can you please let me know who is playing the part of the witch? Thank you.