Rapunzel
A magical folk tale
A Kneehigh Theatre and BAC Co-Production
Rapunzel
By Annie Siddons
Directed by Emma Rice
Designed by Michael Vale
Composed by Stu Barker
The Lowry, Tue 29 January – Sat 2 February 2008
Press night: Tue 29 January, 7pm
Kneehigh Theatre brings their fresh take on the fairytale Rapunzel to The Lowry (Tue 29 January – Sat 2 February) with a thrilling in-the-round production which really gets the audience wrapped up in the action. An aroma machine fills the air with exotic smells and the audience is given the option of sitting on bales of hay rather than regular theatre seats.
The action begins as an angry sun burns down on the parched earth. A desperate father whispers gently to his baby daughter, 'I will never forget you - I love you' and leaves her under a rapunzel plant.
With characteristic fun, puppetry, physical theatre, live music and animation, Kneehigh Theatre creates a special folk tale of loveable rogues, magic pigs, evil brothers and, of course, enduring love, set in an Italian landscape.
A fierce, funny and brave heroine fights for her independence, whilst her handsome and good-hearted prince has to find hidden depths to win his one true love.
For wide-eyed adults and brave children, Annie Siddons' dark and delightful tale is a welcome new telling of this traditional favourite.
“Human beings love stories. We love to get lost in a far-off world, immersed in a cracking good narrative. Even as we become old and cracked, we still want and dream of the same things, we still ask the same questions, fear the same horrors… and folk tales are the deepest, darkest and truest of stories.”(Emma Rice, Artistic Director of Kneehigh Theatre).
Cornwall-based Kneehigh, have created boundless, distinctive and engaging theatre for twenty five years. Known for productions such as Nights at the Circus, Tristan and Yseulf and A Matter of Life and Death they are set to open in the West End this February with their production of Brief Encounter.
Posted on Thursday, 10 January 2008 under Press Theatre Press