Hansel and Gretel Reviews

DB from Hereford, England

INTERESTING

We (myself, partner, 9 year old) watched this last night. As you would expect from a poet, the script was lyrical, almost as though the cast were slowly signing the script without music. The story was relatively difficult to follow, particularly for the distract-able members of the audience (<6 years old) and anyone with a proliferation of earwax, and we would’ve benefited from some subtitles. The best sequences involved the penny stinkers in the pit, who were shuffled around large set pieces they were wheeled in and out of the crowd. Watching from the lower gallery, you could make out people’s perplexed and amused expressions, which added to the theatrical drama somewhat. Large hovering set pieces and bouncy balls added greatly to the enjoyment for the aforementioned fidgiters. We came away feeling a bit underwhelmed, but impressed with the stage presence of the cast and the beautiful lyrical quality of the script, when we could hear it.

Toby S from London, England

INTERESTING TAKE ON IT BUT NOT FOR YOUNG KIDS

My wife and I took our 7yr old to watch this today as we thought it was a great opportunity to introduce him to The Globe via a medium that he would understand and enjoy Unfortunately I think Simon Armitage, whom I usually think is amazing, missed the mark here by updating the setting to a war torn village and inserting messaging about refugee water crossings and paternal death. On many occasions my son whispered to me “what’s going on” to which I had to reply “I don’t honestly know”! The narrator also needs to increase her bellows as it was very tough to hear what she was saying 1/2 the time It’s not fair to say it’s awful but I just think that it’s aimed far more to adults and isn’t a 5+ age suggestion

Diss A Pointed from London, England

NOT ONLY HANSEL & GRETEL WHO WERE LOST.

An experience that left us, the row behind us, and the bench neighbours scratching our heads in collective confusion. A group of strangers all who couldn't believe what was unravelling before our eyes...It was as though the cast had slipped an edible before the show and were enthusiasts in a year 9 drama workshop. The literal positioning and arrangement of the cast was as confused as google maps when you lose signal. Getting legs tangled in fairy lights, pushing stage pieces into the audience without assertion.. the audience didn't have a clue what to do. Whilst the singing sounded more like a heated debate than harmony. The beautiful Sugar House.... The most iconic visual piece for this story in all our imaginations was such a let down that I actually have zero words. Especially after clearly blowing their whole budget on the promo vid. Wasn't expecting a cake on stage of course, but something a touch more magical than shiny material getting stuck in motion on a frame.

JJ from London, England

NOT GREAT..

We were really excited to watch this but came away baffled and disappointed. Narrator was difficult to hear, despite being in seats in lower gallery. Our view was disrupted by a pillar that hadn’t been mentioned when purchasing. Melodies did not fit the background music. Props were cheap and uninspiring. Felt like a school play. A few characters were very good, singing and dancing, but the majority left us feeling disappointed. Quite expensive too for what felt like a very amateur production.

Alana from London, England

CHILDREN SEEMED TO LIKE IT

Like other reviews, we agree that we wish it would have been more magical. Rather than the cast wearing old dirty clothing on purpose, we were looking for a beautiful christmas aesthetic. The narrator was great, and we could see the cast put forth effort, but it was confusing to follow

Elfan Jones from London, England

HANSEL AND GRETLE

I have seen better school productions The singing was weak the story shambolic and the attempt at involving the audience failed. If it is aimed at children under six years old then perhaps it worked.

Patrick Quick. from Cambs, England

UNBELIEVABLY POOR AND AMATEURISH.

Most of the actors were inaudible. The action was choppy and the story wasn't at all clear. The props and 'scenery' were ramshackle. The singing was generally poor and tunes untuneful. The musicians were OK but mostly drowned out the singing. You know that dreadful infant school nativity? Now imagine it with grown-up actors in a nationally prestigious theatre. PS only reviewing first act; I couldn't bear to sit through another, but my wife tells me it wasn't any better.

Page:123456All