“Hans + Gret” - Theatre Review, 2023 - My Thoughts 💭

For Windmill Theatre

Queens Theatre, Adelaide

March 5-12, 2023

Windmill Theatre provide another twisty reimagining of a popular children’s story or fairytale. I remember seeing their triple bill back in 2014 for the Adelaide Festival with the outstanding “Fugitive” (Robin Hood), “Girl Asleep” (very loosely Sleeping Beauty) and “School Dance” - more so a hilariously nostalgic look back on the formal (prom) and being a geek in the 80s. (A coming of age tale that’s a little John Hughes-esque). I’ve not seen their versions of Rumpelstiltskin and The Wizard of Oz, but I hear they were also memorable performances.

This time Windmill have adapted the age old Brothers Grimm fairytale of Hansel and Gretel. Recommended for ages 13+ (yet the vast majority of the packed audience were far, far older but with every age inbetween which made for a timely, offbeat and poignant exploration of the dichotomy between age and youth - and what we might do to preserve (and risk everything) for our younger selves. Set in a dystopian Australia, Hans and Gret are two teenagers played by Dylan Miller and Temeka Lawlor) who live with their parents. Gret is the main character in this production. She’s in a relationship with a school mate played by Emily Liu. Meanwhile, Hans is struggling to get into contact with his beloved grandfather and believes something is amiss. All the while they plan for the school formal, yet a simmering evil appears to be at work behind the scenes. What is it and what role do the numerous and allegedly dangerous wolves play on the outskirts of town? There is also talk of GB (gingerbread mmm) - a mysterious drug making the rounds of their gated community. Could an inspirational speaker/psychologist (Gareth Davies) hold the key? Prominent themes explored include the discord between parents and children, the passing of time and and the missing of our youth.

Rosemary Myers gives the reins to director Claire Watson, yet the play is still based on an original concept by Myers and written by Lally Katz. The use of music is fun and frightening by composer and sound designer Brendan Worthe. The designer, Jonathan Oxlade incorporates a house of glass on stage that effectively spins to incorporate scene and location changes with sometimes grim shocks.

“Hans and Gret” is as off-kilter, hilarious and trippy as their previous shows “Fugitive” and “Girl Asleep”, but the writing and performances at times is perhaps not quite as sharp as the aforementioned productions. From memory, their was significantly more for the main characters to do and the romantic storyline in “Fugitive” was brilliantly performed. Cast standout here is Gareth Davies. Dylan Miller’s performance as Hans is droll and amusing, yet he could have had a slightly more padded out role. This is perhaps a case of injecting new ‘technological’ layers and audience participation into the show, that may detract somewhat from the show’s main characters.

Similar to the previous Windmill shows, many of the scenes of this incarnation include the use of laser lighting, pop songs, bad, but so fun dancing! This time willing audience members also get a chance to be a part of the show for extended sequences. Before the show begins, you will find a phone, headphones and lanyard on your seat. You will need to do a quick survey about your experiences with your parents, have you ran away from home, are you an introvert or an extrovert etc and select if you would like to participate in the show. The narrator will speak to you through this device, as well as tailor your experience differently (how much? I’m not certain) but it also relates prompts for those that have chosen to participate in the performance by instructing them when to go on stage and furthermore what to do when they get there! I.e do a freeze frame model pose and dance weirdly for the school formal sequence. It’s a bonkers idea, but fun and engaging - particularly for those that choose to participate.

“Hans + Gret” is at first light-hearted and fun, then edges towards darkness, but with a stinger of a final monologue. Saying anymore ruins the twists and enjoyment. That such diverse ages in the audience all laughed at sometimes similar and/or different moments is the mark of an infectious piece of theatre that speaks to us all.

We’re also due for another reemergence of some of Windmill’s prior productions and more upcoming movie adaptations from their production company. I cannot wait to see what tale Windmill will spin for audiences next!

I’m giving “Hans and Gret” 4.5 ⭐️ out of 5.

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You can also check out another theatre review of “North by NorthWest” here: