Hansel and Gretel go on tour

Published: 18 November 2020
Reporter: Peter Lathan

Hansel and Gretel

Sunderland-based Theatre Space North East is touring a COVID-secure performance in a tent throughout the region this Christmas. Hansel and Gretel will open at Jarrow Hall on 11 December and have its final performance at St Andrew’s Church, Roker, on 23 December.

The show has all the ingredients of the popular fairy tale—bloodthirsty witches, confectionary houses, a trail of breadcrumbs and a brother and sister in mortal danger—all contained in a bright orange, modular tent.

Only a limited number of 36 tickets, bookable in household bubbles of six or fewer, are available each night, with stringent safety protocols for cast and crew. Audience members will be required to supply their own seating (to minimise cleaning) and wear a face covering inside the tent, unless exempt.

There can be no mixed household groups. Only six tickets can be booked per booking due to limited numbers, so audiences must attend within their household bubbles. All bookings will be assigned a 'socially distanced' plot on arrival so all the required tickets must be booked at the same time.

And although the performance is under cover, it will be cold! Audiences are therefore advised to wrap up warmly. Hot drinks will be available to buy on selected dates.

The show takes place twice nightly at 6:00 and 8:00. After opening at Jarrow Hall on 11 December, it visits:

  • The Bike Garden, Studely Terrace, in Newcastle (12)
  • Hexham Abbey (15)
  • Bamburgh Pavilion (16)
  • Gateshead Old People’s Association, Deckham Village Hall, Split Crow Road, Tyne and Wear NE8 3UB (17)
  • Moor House Adventure Centre, Rainton Gate, Houghton (18)
  • St Cuthbert's Community Centre, Crook (19)
  • TCR The Hub, Barnard Castle (21)
  • Locomotion, Shildon (22)
  • St Andrews Church, Roker, Sunderland (23)

Tickets—£8 for general admission and £6 for concessions (which include healthcare & emergency service professionals)—are available from See Tickets. Booking and transaction fees apply.

As with the company’s previous winter productions, a collection for local food banks will take place at each performance. Audiences are asked to bring along any non-perishable food items to be donated to those who really need the extra help this year.

The producers have secured alternative dates in January for all venues should the government extend the current lockdown period into December, with ticket-holders automatically receiving valid tickets for the rescheduled dates if needed.

*Some links, including Amazon, Stageplays.com, ATG Tickets, LOVEtheatre, BTG Tickets, Ticketmaster, The Ticket Factory, LW Theatres and QuayTickets, are affiliate links for which BTG may earn a small fee at no extra cost to the purchaser.

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