Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel at Open Air Theatre

Humperdinck learned his art at the feet of Wagner, serving time in Bayreuth. Accordingly, his musical ambitions ran high, with pedigree tunes and, in elevated moments such as the advent of the 14 angels at the end of Act II, a touch of expressive genius.

The Guardian

Why see Hansel and Gretel?

A New Co-Production From ENO & Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Late romantic composer Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel gets the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre treatment under the direction of up and coming British theatre director Timothy Sheader this Summer. Continuing the celebrated venue's ongoing relationship with the English National Orchestra (which saw the critically acclaimed run of The Turn Of The Screw in the Summer of 2018), the new production features a thrilling live score as played by a reduced ENO ensemble and conducted by Grand Prix at the 55th Besancon Competition 2017 winner Ben Glassberg. 

Based on the delightfully dark Brothers Grimm Fairtytale, Humperdinck's opera is well loved thanks to its verdant, folk-music infused themes, Wagnerian waltzes and far happier overtones. With added new characters of the composer's own devising including The Sandman, Dew Fairy, Angel Chorus and Gingerbread Children, the opera brings the age old tale to vivid life with soaring music and exciting on stage adventure, marking it as a perfect family-friendly outing to the beloved Royal Park. 

Reviews

Customer reviews

Leo

Fab version of old tale

Loved Simon Armitage take on this ….. really good fun with lovely actors, especially Hansel and Gretel. Loved the worm , cockroach, mouse and foxes too … and the Owl!!!! And Swan and swanny was hilarious !!! It was an alternative delight!! ... Read more

Carrie

I really loved this

Unlike some of the other reviewers, I thought this was fabulous. It was an innovative rewriting of the tale and wondrously realised. I think being in the pit enhanced the production. We were gently guided to clear space for the action. We weren't unable to hear, perhaps that was proximity's favour. I found it moving. Joyous, funny and sad at different times. There were magical moments. ... Read more

Collie

Fun filled alternative story

This is definitely a different take on the Grimm story. Good points lively interactive with audience participation. It’s deliberately grimy and raw and a bit rough around the edges. Could do better points, the narrator was lovely but very poor voice projection so could barely hear the words written by Simon Armitage such a shame as so much lost in the poor sound quality. To some extent that spoilt my viewing . Please use microphone. The voice just tailed off at times and nothing heard . I was in company and we all agreed spoilt the performance by sound quality. Sort that out and you would have a lively if quirky performance where the use of lovely words could be enjoyed. Is this a Globe thing ? ... Read more
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