'GRIMM TALES' Opens Tonight at Bargehouse

The immersive storytelling adaptation of Philip Pullman's Grimm Tales for Young and Old opens at London South Bank's atmospheric Bargehouse tonight, November 21.

Directed by Philip Wilson (the former Artistic Director of the Salisbury Playhouse), this gripping theatrical adventure will allow audience members to explore the world of Grimm and a brand new series of tales including Hansel and Gretel, Faithful Johannes, The Frog King or Iron Heinrich and more.

The cast, comprised of sixteen storytellers, bring an amazing trove of stage and screen experience to the production with recognisable faces including John Seaward, best known as kindhearted lummox big John in E4's iconic sitcom and subsequent cinematic adaptation The Inbetweeners. John's previous stage work includes Vanya in Uncle Vanya while he also appeared in the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of The Borrowers.

Other cast additions include Morag Cross, who recently appeared in Olivier award-nominated No Room On The Broom and the National Theatre's production of Romeo and Juliet, Leda Hodgson, who appeared in the Young Vic's production of Ibsen's A Doll's House, and Amanda Gordon, whose recent stage credits include Shakespeare in the Dark at Battersea Arts Centre, and Chichester Festival Theatre's revival of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui.

Sabina Arthur, James Byng and Paul Clerkin all return after starring in Grimm Tales' first successful run at Shoreditch Town Hall. Sabina Arthur's previous credits include Coronation Street and Super Skinny Bitches at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, while James Byng appeared in ITV's adaptation of Goodbye Mr Chips and could recently be seen as Frodo in the West End adaptation of Lord of the Rings, and Paul Clerkin has appeared in productions of Keeler and Of Mice and Men.

The full cast is Kate Adler (National Theatre's A Taste of Honey, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, Hobson's Choice), Sabina Arthur, James Byng, Paul Clerkin, Morag Cross, Amanda Gordon, Leda Hodgson, Richard Mark (Macbeth, The Pleasance; BBC's Not Going Out), Nessa Matthews (Fast Intent's Macbeth, Foxfinder, The Lir), Anthony Ofoegbu (Death and The King's Horsemen, The National Theatre), Maria Okaminwa (The Bodyguard at the Adelphi), Joel Robinson, John Seaward, Megan Slater, Johnson Willis and Robert Willoughby (A Comedy of Errors, National Youth Theatre).

The production team behind the GRIMM TALES run at Shoreditch Town Hall in Spring 2014 return in full for this brand-new celebration of live story-telling; Valerie Coward, formerly of The Old Vic Tunnels and with 20 years of experience producing immersive theatre events, will produce, along with Executive Producer Cat Botibol, Creative Development Director for agency pd3, an award-winning creative outfit lauded for its work in culture marketing and bespoke branded experiences.

Masterfully recreating the Grimm World again is Set & Costume designer Tom Rogers, Tom Rogers who recently designed the costumes for Robbie Williams' Swings Both Ways Worldwide Tour, Happy Days (UK Tour) and Powder Her Face for Opera Company Philadelphia, while Howard Hudson returns as Lighting Designer (Vert Vert & Fidelio (Garsington Opera), Bedroom Farce, Separate Tables (Salisbury Playhouse) and Brazouka (UK, South Africa and Australia Tour). Composer and sound designer Richard Hammarton, whose credits include The Crucible (The Old Vic), Ghost From A Prefect Place (Arcola) and Beached (Marlowe Theatre/Soho Theatre) also returns to the production.

From the infamous to the unfamiliar, the tales coming alive this November will be The Frog King or Iron Heinrich, Hansel and Gretel, Thousandfurs, Faithful Johannes, The Goose Girl at the Spring and The Three Little Men in the Woods.

For more about the production, visit www.grimm-tales.co.uk. Suitable for adults and brave children aged 8 and up. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

DETAILS:

21st November 2014 - 15th February 2015

GRIMM TALES
THE BARGEHOUSE, OXO TOWER WHARF
Bargehouse
Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, South Bank, London SE1 9PH

Tickets: Adults: £45; Children under 16: £20; Family Ticket (2 Adults and 2 Children): £125; Students (NUS Card holders) & Groups (10+): £25. Additional booking charges may apply. Book at www.grimm-tales.co.uk.

Pictured: Maria Omakinwa at GRIMM TALES. Photo by Tom Medwell.