Theatr Clwyd Announces HANSEL & GRETEL: FAIRYTALE DETECTIVES As Its Christmas Show For Under 11s And Their Families

Tamara Harvey, Theatr Clwyd's Artistic Director and Executive Director Liam Evans-Ford, today announce Theatr Clwyd and Paperfinch Theatre's co-production of Hansel & Gretel: Fairytale Detectives, based on The Brothers Grimm tale, as an immersive Christmas adventure for families. This joins the previously announced Dick Whittington - The Purrrrrfect Rock 'N' Roll Panto, written by the award-winning Christian Patterson and directed by Zoë Waterman and Llew a'r Crydd, Theatr Clwyd and Pontio's first co-production written and directed by Emyr John.

Artistic Director Tamara Harvey said today, "Paperfinch, led by the extraordinary Joe Bunce, make shows that leave you feeling that the world is just a little bit more magical than you ever realised before. Our team at Theatr Clwyd have already started stitching and hammering, scheming and plotting, we're meeting actors around the country this week and soon we'll be holding workshops for our community company so that together we can create another wondrous adventure for the festive season."

Joe Bunce, Paperfich Theatre's Artistic Director, will write and direct Hansel & Gretel. He commented, "It will be performed in promenade through studios, workshops and dressing rooms across Theatr Clwyd. The adaptation transports the famous folktale siblings to Grimm City, a noir-inspired metropolis inhabited by storybook characters from Old King Cole to Humpty Dumpty. When a wicked witch wreaks havoc across the town our audiences are invited to track villains, wear cunning disguises and team-up with the Fairytale Detectives. Come and join us!"

Humpty's cracking, Rapunzel's in a tangle and Weasel went pop without a trace. Fairytales are going missing and there are whispers of a witch on the loose. With cunning disguises, magnifying glasses and a briefcase full of breadcrumbs, Hansel and Gretel gather a team of folklore friends to solve these nursery rhyme crimes.

Dust for prints, crack codes and chase down suspects in this immersive Christmas adventure for under 11s and their families.

Joe Bunce is Artistic Director of Paperfinch. He has adapted Hansel & Gretel: Fairytale Detectives for the stage, and also directs. Credits for Paperfinch include The Nutcracker and The Snow Queen (Theatr Clwyd), Beatrix Potter's Garden (Theatre Delicatessen), and Curiouser and Curiouser (for SlungLow Theatre). Joe also writes and directs musical theatre, including Departures: A Song Cycle for which he won the The Sunday Times Playwriting Award and Cameron Mackintosh Award.

Previously announced season highlights include an all-female cast in a co-production with Sherman Theatre of Lord of the Flies and a first-time co-production with Clean Break of the world première of Thick as Thieves, from award-winning Welsh playwright Katherine Chandler.

Visiting highlights include a reimagined production of The 39 Steps direct from the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough and Tom Kempinski's poignantly funny Duet For One, starring Belinda Lang and Jonathan Coy.

Rambert, Britain's original dance company, will launch its new ensemble Rambert 2 at Theatr Clwyd in October. It will feature some of the world's best young dancers as well as creating unique educational and learning experiences for schools. High quality dance is also represented by National Dance Company Wales, who present a new triple bill in November.

Music and opera includes performances by Welsh National Opera, Music Theatre Wales and Mid Wales Opera alongside eight classical concerts, featuring some of the finest soloists and ensembles.

Comedy features new shows by Hal Cruttenden, Sam Avery, Stephen K Amos and Vikki Stone and the Comedy Club, on the first Thursday of every month, features three top comedians in two unforgettable hours of standup.

Full details of the season are at www.theatrclwyd.com.

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