HANSEL AND GRETEL to Play Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough

This Christmas the breadcrumb trail leads to the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough where the enchanting tale of Hansel and Gretel can be seen from 10 to 27 December.

Mike Kenny's unique adaptation will be brought to life in the theatre's intimate in-the-round setting with an acapella soundtrack composed by Oli Steadman from the band Stornoway.

The Stephen Joseph Theatre welcomes husband and wife Peter Basham and Elinor Lawless who will be playing brother and sister in the title roles. Also new to the company is Eithne Browne appearing as Mother and the Wicked Witch and, following the summer production of Neville's Island, Jamie Chapman returns to play both Father and a giant mouse.

Chocolate log? Give it to the dog.
Bangers and mash? I get a rash.
Beans on toast? I hate the most.
Shepherds pie? I'd rather die.

It's dinner time and a family gathers round the table but today, instead of the usual grumbling about the food, they begin to tell the tale of Hansel and Gretel. The story comes to life as Mum's knitting becomes a witch's outfit, the tea cosy a mouse, and Mum, Dad, and their two children sing, laugh, quake and cry their way through Grimm's famous tale. It's a positive feast of festivities and the happy ending comes just in time for Christmas pudding!

So get in the mood for a banquet of food.
For the eyes and the ears there'll be laughter and tears.

Hansel and Gretel is directed by Stephen Joseph Theatre Associate Director Henry Bell who follows productions of Neville's Island, seen earlier this year, and Slipping and Screenplay in 2014.

Director Henry Bell said: "It's a pleasure to be working with such a talented cast and Oli Steadman whose songs really bring out the storytelling of Mike Kenny's script. Together with the Bavarian-inspired design by Lucy Weller, we can't wait for people to see it this Christmas.

"Hansel and Gretel celebrates great storytelling and I hope that, after watching this show, aunts and cousins, brothers and sisters, mums and dads and anyone tucking into their brussels sprouts can feel inspired to embark on a story with a turkey leg as a prop or a Christmas hat as a castle."

Peter Basham has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Love's Labour's Won and Love's Labour's Lost in 2014, previously at the Stephen Joseph Theatre with the Tobacco Factory in the national tour of As You Like It, and on screen in box office hits Skyfall and Inception, Channel 4's Utopia and the BBC series of Sherlock.

Elinor Lawless comes to Scarborough following Bakkhai at London's Almeida Theatre, she was also recently seen in Stone Cold Murder at The Mill at Sonning and A Fatal Secret and The Roaring Girl at Shakespeare's Globe.

A regular on the Liverpool circuit, Eithne Browne has performed numerous times in the city and most recently in Mam! I'm 'Ere!, Night Collar and Special Measure at the Royal Court and Tartuffe at the Playhouse. Television appearances include the BBC series Waterloo Road and ITV's The Royal and Emmerdale.

Jamie Chapman first appeared at the Stephen Joseph Theatre this summer in the revival of Tim Firth's hit comedy Neville's Island where he played Roy. Other theatre credits include Noises Off, Taking Steps and The Norman Conquests and, for television, Catherine Tate's Nan and the BBC series Extras.

Hansel and Gretel can be seen at the Stephen Joseph Theatre from Thursday 10 to Sunday 27 December. Tickets, priced from £9 for children, £15 for adults and family tickets from £40, are available online at www.sjt.uk.com and from the box office on 01723 370541. Suitable for ages 5+.

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