Hansel and Gretel (2019)
14 June – 22 June
By Engelbert Humperdinck
English translation by David Pountney
Orchestral reduction by Derek J Clark
Following 2018's production of The Turn of the Screw, we continued our collaboration with English National Opera with Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel. In the unique environment of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, the Grimm Brothers' fairytale could be experienced anew in this operatic retelling, sung in English. Ben Glassberg conducted members of the ENO Orchestra, with direction by Open Air Theatre Artistic director Timothy Sheader.
The cast
Creative team
Reviews
Sunday Times
"Timothy Sheader's thoroughly magical al fresco staging, ingeniously designed by Peter McKintosh, was full of delightful and scary surprises. An evening of complete enchantment."
Observer
"MAGICAL - Humperdinck’s fairytale opera Hansel and Gretel has found its ideal setting at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. A bewitching show full of charm...conducted with flair and impetus by Ben Glassberg"
Metro
“Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel packs a heart-warming punch. Full of joy and wonder, and just creepy enough to thrill the little ones without tipping them over the edge, it’s another hit for the company’s fledgling partnership with English National Opera.”
The Times
“Magical staging coupled with orchestral brilliance make this production of the classic fairytale A DELIGHT”
Evening Standard
“A forest is a place of danger and enchantment, a fact amply exploited by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Timothy Sheader’s new production of Hansel and Gretel makes full use of the arboreal setting; bathed in lighting both natural and theatrical, it becomes an other-worldly site.”
The Guardian
“Update of Humperdinck’s masterpiece strikes the right note between pathos and enchantment."
Backtrack
“Crowd-pleasing and dramatically satisfying...a candy-sweet Hansel and Gretel that gives the audience an irresistible sugar rush; A DELICIOUS THEATRICAL CAKE"
The i
"This mostly delightful, sometimes ever so slightly unsettling evening hits the gobstopper bullseye."
Opera Today
"ENCHANTING - Lizzi Gee's movement direction is superb...brilliantly conceived and executed."
The Stage
"MIDSUMMER MAGIC. Despite its deliberately dark moments, this is a feel-good show, with David Pountney’s translation apt at every turn. Rising star conductor Ben Glassberg doesn’t miss a trick in presenting Derek J Clark’s astute reduction of Humperdinck’s score for 20 musicians from the English National Opera's orchestra.”
Programmes and Marketing
Rehearsals
Misc Images
Videos
Podcasts
Daniel Snowman leads a Q&A with some of those involved with Hansel and Gretel, our co-production with English National Opera. On the panel are Heather Lowe who plays Hansel, Elizabeth Karani who plays Gretel, the conductor Ben Glassberg, director Timothy Sheader, and Assistant Conductor Mark Biggins.
Awards
Best New Opera Production
Olivier Award: Nominated