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, audiences experienced the Grimm Brothers' fairytale 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.
Translation by David Pountney | Orchestral reduction by Derek J Clark
Suitable ages 9+
Part 1 = 55mins | Interval = 20mins | Part 2 = 40mins.
Guidelines for Parents and Teachers
Guidelines for Parents and Teachers
Hansel and Gretel
Whilst suitable for family audiences, as a sung-through opera Hansel and Gretel is most likely to be of interest to those aged 9 and over. In any event, children under the age of 4 will not be admitted to the venue. The production is sung in English, and further information and synopsis can be found by searching online for ‘Hansel and Gretel Humperdinck’.
It remains the responsibility of the parent/guardian in advance of purchase to make their own judgement as to the suitability of the show for their own child.
More Information about bringing children to the Open Air Theatre
Read reviews
Show all reviewsSunday 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."
Bachtrack
“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.”
CREATIVE TEAM
- Oliver Fenwick – Lighting Designer
- Lizzi Gee – Movement Director
- Ben Glassberg – Conductor
- Barbara Houseman – Season Associate Director (Text & Voice)
- Nick Lidster – Sound Designer
- Peter McKintosh – Designer
- Verity Naughton – Casting Director (Children)
- Tim Sheader – Director
- Michelle Williams – Casting Director
CAST
- Rosie Aldridge – Mother
- Alasdair Elliott – Witch
- Susanna Hurrell – Gretel
- Gillian Keith – Sandman
- Rachel Kelly – Hansel
- Heather Lowe – Hansel
- Ben McAteer – Father
- Gweneth Ann Rand – Mother
- Duncan Rock – Father
- Billy Warren – Dance Captain
- He Wu – Dew Fairy
