Uchenna Dance - Hansel & Gretel

A family show unlike any other this festive season, Uchenna Dance give the classic fairy tale a dance makeover re-imagining the adventures of two courageous children for modern day London.

This is the first year The Place, in collaboration with DanceEast, the Rural Touring Dance Initiative and Strike a Light Festival, has commissioned a family show for the festive season, but one unlike any other Christmas show around. This fearless dance adventure will offer a different kind of experience for families looking to try something new.

Told from the children’s perspective, our two young heroes brave a big journey and find themselves lost in the city, overwhelmed by the sights, sounds and smells. Separated from their kind guardian, the clever duo must use their smarts and determination to outwit the adults and find a way for their little modern family to stay together in a show where kids are number one!

Work Place Artist Vicki Igbokwe (The Head Wrap Diaries) puts her unique Uchenna Dance twist on the much-loved story, weaving dance styles House, Waacking and Vogue, with African and Contemporary Dance. “Hansel & Gretel is a story I read a lot as a child and for me, it was always about how brave Hansel & Gretel are, how tenacious, courageous and resourceful. In our version, they use their imagination to help them get out of tricky situations. I really wanted to create a show that celebrates and empowers young people to be brave and think on their feet.”

Instead of breadcrumbs, they follow the London landmarks and the evil witch is a helpful – or maybe not so helpful? – stranger in an alternative Christmas show that celebrates the boundless imagination of children with vivacious dancing and colourful costumes. The stage at The Place will be transformed into a mobile, ever changing urban playground coming to life for this festive treat that will delight the whole family and leave them grooving right up until Christmas Eve!

With an exciting original musical score by Ghanaian composer Kweku Aacht, the production is written by Gbolahan Obisesan, set and costume design by Lucy Sierra, lighting design by James Mackenzie and assistant choreography by Ingrid Mackinnon.