Grimm Tales 

A Christmas show with a twist  

In the last week before the winter break Level 4 students from The School of Performing Arts at The University of Wolverhampton performed in Grimm Tales at The Black Box Theatre on the Walsall Campus. It was a welcome return to presenting work in front of a live audience. Lucy Wood, a student on the Acting and Theatre degree course said: “The show created a visual spectacle for our audience and the stories were performed in an unconventional way.” 

The production was the end result of a collaborative module which sees Acting and Theatre, Music and Music Education students work together.  The interdisciplinary ensemble was on stage together for the whole performance with musicians acting, actors playing instruments and all of them having to learn slapstick and simulated fighting techniques. Acting and Theatre student Lewis Wilson Smith said: “It tested my skills as a performer, despite being constricted by crutches!”   

The music – all performed live - ranged from Saint-Saëns through Lead Belly to O’Connell and Love. In addition to featuring knockabout comedy and irreverent humour, the production contained poignancy, violence and cruelty.  Director and module leader Peter Cann said: “This isn’t cosy children’s theatre. Carol Ann Duffy’s adaptation remains faithful to the medieval brutality of the original folk tales, so people sell their children, mutilate their feet, and have their eyes pecked out by birds. In this module students engage with challenging content as well as different theatrical forms”. 

Students working behind the scenes participated in a masterclass in theatrical media make-up from Neil Hughes the programme leader for BA(Hons) Digital Production Arts for Theatre. Students used this masterclass to design and apply special effect character make-ups on the performers for each show.  

Co-director and Deputy Head of School Helen Rudge added: “The module is delivered by experienced professionals in a theatre fully-equipped for public performances, so as well as learning new skills the student ensemble is expected to exercise professional levels of rehearsal and performance discipline” 

Lucy Wood summed up the student experience:   

“This show reignited my passion for performing after being away for 18 months”