Hansel and Gretel

“The kids have really enjoyed themselves and the teachers are really impressed with Big Brum and how you work with the children” - Teacher, North Solihull.

In Summer and Autumn 2024, we toured an adaptation of the Grimms’ brothers’ fairy tale to primary and special schools in North Solihull and through a project with the Central Cooperative Learning Trust in Walsall and East Staffordshire.

We also organised follow-up sessions with an artist, a musician and a dancer in North Solihull schools as part of a project called ‘Moments of Wow’.

The play was directed by Richard Holmes. Chris Cooper wrote three adaptations from the story, tailored to different age groups. The tour as a whole reached 3,507 children over 128 sessions in 23 schools. The follow-up work in North Solihull engaged 470 of these children over 45 sessions.

Cast: Father - Zoe Simon; Gretel - Bethany Wright; Hansel - Katie Mann; Mother/Witch - Daisy Quick.

Photos: Christopher Commander.

Set images: Matt Reeves.

Sound design: Jack Baggott.

Film: John Bradburn.