Hansel and Gretel - getting close to the end now

We are getting close to the end of our extended run here in Bristol and it has been a really amazing time. We had a bit of a scare when Unai was ill just before Christmas (he is back in full force now) but our versatile (but slightly fatter) Artistic Director stepped in to keep the show rolling - there were some trouser issues to be solved...

It was a bit of a roller coaster ride but we had some fun as well. Kieran Edwards also filled for some shows and was as excellent, and as naughty as ever.

The show continues its sell out run BUT there are a few tickets left for next week during the week... We have started to plan for our half term run in Peterborough! Basically Bristol had been brilliant! AB

Hansel and Gretel workshop fun...

It's been really great start to 2013 for all of us here at NIE as our run at the lovely Tobacco Factory in Bristol has continued with some very enthusiastic audiences (including one small child who felt the need to reassure Gretel that 'she did the right thing' in pushing the witch into the oven on Saturdays matinee show!). After the matinee show on Saturday Carrie, the TF+ Officer at the Tobacco Factory, and Sarah, NIE's Assistant Producer, led a workshop for 17 children who had just watched the show, along with their parents. The kids were allowed to get to know the puppet versions of Hansel and Gretel, as well as play with the potty which is used as an instrument in the show. They were then challenged to learn how to say 'Once upon a time, a long long time ago', in Norwegian and impressed everyone present with how quickly they picked it up! A game of grandmother's footsteps involving the all important pebbles used by Hansel in the show was enthusiastically received, and followed by a very informative technical lesson by Elke, our technical stage manager. Elke showed the group the way that the little house produces real smoke from it's chimney, and also how it is gently lowered down on ropes hidden in the ceiling. The group also learnt how we magically make it snow at the end, which I'm not going to give away here...

The workshop was finished off with adults and children alike being shown the back stage of the theatre where the performers prepare for the show each day. Thank-you very much to all who took part, it was lovely to have so many people interested in seeing how the show really came to life! SC

Happy New Year!

NIE get the new year off to a great start with our continuing sell-out run of Hansel and Gretel at the Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol.

Below is some of the feedback we have had over Christmas on the show: We are in Bristol until the 19 January so catch it if you can!