Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) students have collaborated with industry professional Elinor Lower to bring Carol Ann Duffy’s visceral, physical adaptation of the classic folk stories to the historic Palace Court Theatre.
In a step away from sugar-coated endings, AUB Productions invites audiences to step into a world of physical storytelling, peculiar creatures, and untamed folklore with its final showcase of the University’s theatre season, Grimm Tales.
Performing at the Palace Court Theatre, this amateur production is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.
Adapted by former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and dramatised by Tim Supple, the production completely bypasses the familiar, sweetened Disney tropes. Instead, it returns to the ‘cruel and wondrous’ roots of the original stories.
Under the direction of rising industry talent Elinor Lower, the performance relies on a highly physical, ‘stripped-back’ ensemble style. Rather than relying on elaborate scenery, the production challenges the boundaries of performance design, placing its trust in the raw power of physical theatre, movement and the audience's imagination.
“It is brilliantly playful and matter-of-fact," Elinor says. "These stories have been told countless times, adapted and translated relentlessly over the last 200 years. In this adaptation, our ensemble is finding new games to play with these narratives, putting the spotlight on the weird and wonderful, and drawing out the tales that have had a little less airtime.
“By stripping away massive, traditional scenic backdrops and focusing on physical storytelling, our incredible ensemble of actors can build entire worlds out of nothing but movement and atmosphere.
“Combined with the surreal, jaw-dropping costume designs and headpieces crafted by AUB’s design students, we are creating a theatrical experience that feels both ancient and incredibly fresh, and serves the initial purpose of the stories: to entertain, to mystify, and to warn!”
In a refreshing departure from standard anthologies, this particular staging bypasses classic mainstays like Hansel and Gretel or Snow White to shine a spotlight on the Brothers Grimm's lesser-known, delightfully eccentric tales. Audiences will meet a quirky menagerie of characters, including talking animals, celestial beings, and animated, inanimate objects.
These fantastical characters are brought to life through extraordinary, custom-made creations. Students from BA (Hons) Costume and BA (Hons) Design for Costume and Performance have designed and hand-crafted a series of highly peculiar, sculptural headpieces and unconventional costumes.
Working in tandem with students from BA (Hons) Makeup, Hair and Prosthetics, the creative teams have crafted a striking visual aesthetic that is ‘unnervingly weird’ and beautiful.
The production represents a massive cross-course collaboration within Bournemouth Film School, seamlessly uniting emerging talent from BA (Hons) Acting, BA (Hons) Costume, BA (Hons) Design for Costume and Performance and BA (Hons) Makeup, Hair and Prosthetics.
Finlay McGeachin, a third-year BA (Hons) Acting student performing in the ensemble, says, “This production is a total immersion into the unexpected. I’m multi-roling across several stories and playing roles such as Man, Father, Husband, Narrator, and even a Devil, which has been an incredible creative challenge.
“The energy in the rehearsal room, sparked by our director Eli, has been electric. We are bringing eight different stories to life, many of which the audience won't have heard before, using a dynamic style that really showcases the connection we’ve built as a cast.
“From the moment people walk in, they’ll be met with a visual feast of set, costume, and makeup that presents these tales in a way they’ve never seen. It’s going to be a very memorable, entertaining experience, and I can’t wait for the audience to see what we’ve built together.”
Mariam Yaya, who plays the Younger Sister, Hedgehog, and Chief Robber, says, “The audience can anticipate a truly dynamic piece of theatre where each story has its own distinct language and mode of communication.
“We weave between different storytelling techniques, sometimes immersing the audience completely in the narrative, and at other times pulling back. This fluid, holistic spirit shines through the entire performance, right down to our ensemble ‘base’ costumes.
“As a company, our unique interpretations and contributions have sculpted a very fresh and distinctive flavour for these tales. This project has pushed us to deeply analyse how stories are preserved and transmitted between cultures, an angle we have been able to explore beautifully through the diverse identities within our own cast.
“I’ve felt like a puzzle piece uniquely fitting into this collaborative process, and we can't wait for the audience to savour the result.”
Kasandra Marie Georgi, another member of the surreal Grimm Tales ensemble, adds, “This show is all about taking the audience on a wild rollercoaster, encouraging them to tap into their inner sense of wonder as we journey through these ancient folk tales.
“We are all constantly moving on stage, using everything from subtle glances to intricate choreography to fully immerse the audience in these bizarre worlds. We use our bodies to convey the darker, grimmer themes of the stories – specifically the concept of greed and how it consumes a character. It’s been a fascinating challenge to move away from realism and embrace an abstract physicality.
“These stories have been around for centuries because they hold such crucial moral lessons, and while some characters succeed through trickery, others are punished. In this production, we don't shy away from the fact that not every story has a happy ending.”
Grimm Tales will appear at the Palace Court Theatre from 28–30 May, including a matinée performance on 30 May.
