Theatre and Dance

The story of Rapunzel is familiar to most children, but not quite as Kneehigh Theatre tells it at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Their Rapunzel is not the meek, doll-like heroine, with long flowing blonde hair but a feisty, wild and wilful all-action heroine who will let nothing stand between her and her true love.

Emma Rice, Kneehigh's artistic director and director of the play, wanted to recapture some of the true meaning of folk tales and fairy stories; full of dark cautionary meaning, loss, love and hope. This magical production, written by Anne Siddons, certainly achieves the brief.

Dark and violent with eyes plucked out and fingers severed; funny with great visual humour, jokes and slapstick; and tales of treachery and eventually the triumph of love over all.

Mike Shepherd as Mother Gothel

The story tells of how Rapunzel is found as baby by Mother Gothel and brought up as a happy child. However as she matures into a young woman, Mother Gothel locks her in a tower to protect her from the world. Patrizio, the heir to the Tuscan throne, hears Rapunzel singing and wins her affection but before they can elope, Mother Gothel savagely hacks off Rapunzel's long dreadlocked hair, blinds Patrizio with the very same scissors and casts him into the wilderness.

As they search for each other Patrizio and Rapunzel are befriended and betrayed by a rum bunch of characters, the pick of which is Paul Hunter's Ambrosi, who steals the show with his knowing humour and deadpan delivery. Mother Gothel is played with real menace by Mike Shepherd and Edith Tankus gives a very good performance as Rapunzel.

One the many delights of the show is great musical accompaniment that has the audience tapping their feet to Latin rhythms and singing along with the songs. The applause was long, generous and heartfelt, as befits such a delightful and truly special play.

Rapunzel continues at the Courtyard Theatre @ the West Yorkshire Playhouse until Saturday 23 February 2008.