The Tales of the Brothers Grimm cast brings together a group of exceptional actor-musicians, including several Sherman Christmas favourites. As well as writing this year’s show, Hannah McPake, who recently delighted audiences as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol and the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, will return to the Sherman’s Main House stage as Mum / Snow Queen.
James Ifan (A Christmas Carol, Alice in Wonderland, Sherman Theatre) returns in the roles of Uncle Jack / Jacob Grimm / Prince Charming. And following his role last year as Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol, Keiron Self (My Family, BBC) returns for his seventh Christmas production at the Sherman, this year as the Narrator.
Also joining the cast are Lily Beau (Y Golau / The Light, Channel 4 / S4C; Craith / Hidden, S4C) as Stevie and Katie Elin-Salt (The Tuckers, BBC Wales; Stella, Sky) as Cinderella / Hannekas.
They will be joined by Sherman Theatre Associate Artist Kyle Lima (The Pembrokeshire Murders, ITV; 2019 Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special, BBC), last seen on stage at the Sherman in The Motherf**ker with the Hat, as Uncle Will / Wilhelm Grimm / Wolf.
Bethzienna Williams (The Assassination of Katie Hopkins, Clwyd Theatr Cymru; We Hunt Together, BBC) will play Sleeping Beauty. Completing the cast will be Sarah Workman (Dance to the Bone, Sherman Theatre; Girls Don’t Play Guitars, Liverpool Royal Court), returning to the Sherman as Rapunzel / Teeneka.
Artistic Director Joe Murphy (A Hero of the People, A Christmas Carol, Sherman Theatre) will be joined by a talented team, reuniting many of the creatives from previous Sherman Christmas shows. The team will include Composer Lucy Rivers (A Christmas Carol, Alice in Wonderland, Sherman Theatre), Musical Director Barnaby Southgate (Sunday in the Park with George, RWCMD; Nyrsys, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru), Designer Hayley Grindle (A Christmas Carol, Alice in Wonderland, Sherman Theatre), Lighting Designer Andy Pike (Dance to the Bone, A Christmas Carol, Sherman Theatre) and Sound Designer Ian Barnard (A Christmas Carol, Alice in Wonderland, Sherman Theatre).
Joe Murphy said: “One of the things that makes the festive season so special is the opportunity to come together and spend time with friends and family, and there is no better place to do that than at the theatre. Hannah McPake’s reimagining of the Tales of the Brothers Grimm promises to be a joyous experience for our audiences this Christmas, brought to life by this hugely talented team of performers and creatives.”
It’s Christmas Eve and in the Grimmdom (home of the Brothers Grimm) Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel are waiting for their Happy Ever After. Meanwhile in Cardiff, 1913, it’s a wild stormy night. Stevie is waiting to find her story, while her mum knows exactly what story she’s living, fighting with the Suffragettes for the right to vote.
When the storm transports Stevie to the Grimmdom, things begin to change. None of the stories are happening like they’re supposed to. The Big Bad Wolf has escaped. Prince Charming is missing. And the Snow Queen has turned up, but wait, wasn’t she written by Hans Christian Andersen? Will everything end in disaster? Or, can Stevie save the Grimmdom and find her own Once Upon a Time?
Inspired by the famous fairy tales, Hannah McPake reimagines the world of the Brothers Grimm. Full of songs and laughter, this spectacular new Christmas show is performed by an exceptional cast of actor musicians. Tales of the Brothers Grimm promises a magical theatre treat for everyone aged 7+.
To ensure that the cost of tickets is in reach of as many people as possible, the Sherman is continuing its new scheme, Pay What You Can Previews, for its Christmas shows. The scheme will allow audiences to choose how much they are able to pay for tickets.