The three creatives chosen for Nottingham Playhouse’s Christmas show for younger children, Hansel and Gretel, are all from the East Midlands and fought off competition from more than 100 submissions in an open call-out.
Beth Shouler, a Duffield Fellow 2022 on the Clore Leadership Programme, will direct. She said, “I’m chuffed to bits to be directing a show for Nottingham Playhouse which is the first theatre I ever saw a show in. Hansel and Gretel is my favourite fairy tale—full of mischief, a little darkness, resilient siblings who triumph over adversity and of, course, a house and garden made of sweets—a childhood dream.
“I’ve always wanted to direct a show for Nottingham Playhouse after working in just about every department, from cleaning at 5:30AM to working bar shifts at midnight. I’m especially delighted to be directing a show my tiny nephews, nieces and friends’ children can enjoy. What better Christmas present could I ask for?”
Monika Johnson, a Nottingham-based children’s writer and storyteller, who is adapting the story, commented, “Nottingham Playhouse is where I first started writing for young audiences in 2006. I’m super-excited to return to this space and to be part of the team bringing this much-loved magical tale to life.”
Composer David Gibb added, "it's fantastic to be working with Nottingham Playhouse and to be returning to my East Midlands roots. I'm really excited to bring some musical festive joy to families and children and to work with such a talented and brilliant team of artists.”
In addition, the designer is Samuel Fransch, a Nottingham Trent University student who won a Playhouse prize to work on the show. He said, “I’m incredibly excited. I’m looking forward to creating a world which will really excite the young kids coming to see it.”
Specially created for children aged from three to eight, this new version of the Grimm brothers’ tale will run in the Neville Studio from Thursday 7 until Sunday 31 December.