"Ten Best Theatre" in The Independent

It was great to see Hansel & Gretel in The Independent as "Ten Best Theatre" shows today. 

Wishing everyone a very happy new year, and we look forward to celebrating the start of 2012 with the final four shows on Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 January!

Week Three Highlights

Alex the Director talks about the show

We have had a brilliant time making and playing the show to thousands of school children and families throughout the run so far at The Junction. 

On a bumper show day of 3 shows to packed audiences, Director of Hansel & Gretel and Artistic Director of NIE; Alex Byrne reflects on the experience:

We still have 2 more shows tomorrow before the new year and 2 more days of shows in 2012, so if you haven't done so already, don't miss your chance to catch it in Cambridge!

Spotlight on Live Music

Anyone who has already been to see the show will know live music plays an important role in our version of Hansel and Gretel.



No less than seven pieces of original music feature in the one hour show – four songs and three pieces of incidental music which are used to to set a scene or introduce a new character. All composed by musician and cast member Carly Davis who plays the witch.



Right from the start of the development stages of the show we wanted our version of Hansel and Gretel to have a european folk music feel with Director Alex very much wanting the music to take the audience on a journey. With this in mind Carly went on to create lots of different songs and music to reflect the show's story, these were then edited down and developed in the rehearsal process (and according to which cast members could play which instruments).

We use a lot of instruments in the show – guitar, ukulele, accordian, double bass, trombone, clarinet, recorder, drum sticks (making drums out of the set) and glockenspiel. The show's winter forest set certainly provides lots of handy resting places for these...



All five cast members have musicial backgrounds but even they had to learn to play some new instruments for the show. For instance, Mia who plays Hansel and Gretel's Norwegian stepmother can play very well the trombone and clarinet so both are used in the show, but  she has also learnt some bits of music on the double bass so she plays that at some points as well.

The result? Listen to two songs from the show 'Breadcrumbs' and 'All the food was gone' below to find out...







For those thinking about coming to see the show, but perhaps haven't booked tickets yet listen to what Junction audiences think below on audio boo...

The show goes on

After enjoying a couple of days off for Christmas, the Hansel & Gretel performers are back into The Junction with shows right through into the new year. Many shows are now sold out but there is some good availability on the 2nd and 3rd January so booking in advance is advisable!

Week Two Highlights

Four Star Review from The Guardian

Earlier today we were delighted to find a four star review of the show by Lyn Gardner in The Guardian newspaper.

For those who have a copy handy, find us on Pg 42 along with one of Claire’s great production images of Steffi as Hansel. 

“A folksy affair, done with just the right touch of nastiness and warm-hearted playfulness… much to enjoy for all members of the family”
★★★★ Lyn Gardner, The Guardian


Click here to read the on line version.

Its fantastic to see word of mouth spreading about the show,  yesterday we learnt a number of this week's performances have sold out (including both Christmas Eve shows!) and on Friday we announced two extra shows on Tue 03 Jan at 11.30am and 2.30pm. Tickets for both now on sale from The Junction, Box Office.

For latest ticket availability visit The Junction's website www.junction.co.uk which is updated daily. 

Week One Highlights

Since opening a week ago we’ve had an overwhelming response to the show from audience goers and reviewers alike, no more so than online.

Below are some of our favourite on line tweets and posts from the past week...




We’d love to know what you think. Follow us on twitter @TheJunctionCamb and @NIETheatre using the hashtag #HanselandGretelNIE

Production shots

We now have some great production shots from the show thanks to Claire Haugh which give some idea of what the show looks like (although even better to come along to The Junction and have a look at our winter wonderland!)

Photos: Claire Haigh 2011
www.clairehaigh.co.uk

The Guardian Guide today!

After a great opening on Wednesday and daytime school performances this week, we can't wait for Sunday and some family shows. We were also pleased to be in The Guardian Guide's preview section today and in Lyn Gardner's theatre tips for the third week running!

"I haven't seen it yet, but NIE's Hansel and Gretel at the Junction in Cambridge is creating quite a buzz" Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

Opening night & the first set of reviews are in!

Yesterday marked another big milestone for us – opening night. Setting the stage, the theatre foyer was transformed into a winter wonderland complete with fake snow, pine cones and real gingerbread (this is Hansel and Gretel after all!) meanwhile the scent of mulled wine filled the air teasing guests, press and audience goers who had assembled for the show ...

Gone before the auditorium doors opened. The mulled wine went done a treat last night!

This morning we woke to the first set of reviews for the show. Here are some of our favourite quotes...




“With its European folk songs, physical inventiveness and clever use of puppetry... this is far from being a traditional panto”


Andrew Aldridge, The Stage




“This is one magical journey worth making in all weathers and will warm the heart on even the coldest December night”


Glen Pearce, ***** Public Reviews




"A deeply funny fairytale, tinged with pathos... the perfect embodiment of less is more"


Eleanor Turney, A Younger Theatre.




“A magical show which ventures deep into the traditions of storytelling, Hansel and Gretel is a delight for all ages and an intelligent alternative to the gaudy glitz which can often obscure the humble wonders of Christmas”


Jennifer Shelton, Cambridge News

Opening Night ...

The Junction’s foyer has been transformed into a Christmas winter wonderland (look out for Toby’s great forest mural in the corner) the dress rehearsals done and this morning we had our first schools performance (thanks again to all at Bottisham Primary).

All that remains is the show’s official unveiling to the public and press tonight. Join us,  we hear there will be mulled wine and minced pies ... 

Dress rehearsal and final countdown

This afternoon we had a dress rehearsal for the show with some willing young audience members who really enjoyed the show, and have finished off tweaking a few bits before the first public show tomorrow morning!

Hansel and Gretel at Mill Road Winter Fair

This weekend was a busy one for the team with final rehearsals, set get in and the Mill Road Winter Fair on Saturday ...

Now in its sixth year, Mill Road Winter Fair is an annual Cambridge event held in the Mill Road area of the city featuring arts and craft stalls, lots of street food and live performances including our very own Hansel and Gretel cast members Mia, Unai and Carly who entertained the crowds with live music from the show.

Here is a clip of them at work ...

We also had a information stall at the fair decked out with photos, props and more information about the show. Our Hansel and Gretel balloons were such a big hit with younger fair goers we actually ran out (don't worry we have ordered more). Big thanks to our fantastic flyers Ed, Rachel and Alice for all their help on the day also!

Independent on Sunday coverage

Great press coverage from the Independent on Sunday yesterday about our show, they seem as excited as we are about it opening!

Click here to link to The Independent on Sunday

We are now into the final production days on the show and are putting the set in The Junction's theatre space. It will start to look very beautiful soon...

Hansel & Gretel in the press

In the run up to opening the show this week we have been really pleased at the amount of interest from local and national press for the show - here are some of the highlights of this week

The Guardian
Lyn Gardner theatre tips with an image from our show

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (Breakfast show) You can hear it again here:(Scroll in 1hr 27 mins)

Cambridge Evening News - Jennifer Shelton's interview with Director Alex Byrne

Final rehearsal days

We did a run through of the show today - its shaping up to be a great show, but still needs a bit of editing to make it around 60 minutes running time. A few shots below from the run through:

 Hansel & Gretel with their Father (and Stepmother)

Hansel collecting pebbles to find their way home

 Explaining the plan to Gretel....

 Finding their way back home

In the Witch's House

Hansel being fattened up to be eaten!

Script run through

In the last few days of rehearsals we spent some time going through the script and getting the text right: