27 November – 17 January
Rapunzel is a delightful seasonal treat that is guaranteed to charm both young and old. Writer Sharon Clark has taken the key element of the original tale by the Brothers Grimm – a girl with long hair is shut away in a tower – and has used that as the starting point for an entirely new story that deftly weaves together ideas about friendship, loyalty, sibling rivalry and much more. However, the central theme is concerned with the challenges of motherhood, the lies we tell children to protect them, and the thorny question of when to let one’s innocent children go out into the world where they will be free to discover its excitements, but also be vulnerable to its many dangers.
That sounds formidably weighty, but each topic is presented with a light touch by five actor-musicians with sharply honed comedic skills. There are many moments throughout that are laugh-out-loud funny, and composer Tom Crosley-Thorne’s splendid songs underpin the all-embracing warmth and energy running through the whole show.
The central character is, of course, Rapunzel (Anna Marks Pryce) who is shut away in a secret tower, studying the stars but learning nothing of the world below, and yet to feel many of the emotions that go hand in hand with life in the real world. This Rapunzel is no hapless maiden waiting for rescue, but a spirited young astronomer determined to experience everything the world below has to offer – ‘I want to have a fox sit in my lap.’
Her aunt Serafina (Mischa Jardine), sister of Rapunzel’s deceased mother, brusquely assures Rapunzel that her confinement is for her own good, for the world below is full of danger: ‘What child ever wants to be free of a mother’s protection?’ Rapunzel is enwrapped in her extraordinarily long hair, braided into a rope of umbilical red. When will that rope be cut, and when will Rapunzel be set free?
The most precious thing in Rapunzel’s life is her music, and her most precious possession is her record-player. Every click, plop and hiss of that machine, and every whoosh as an LP is removed from its sleeve, is delivered vocally by the cast: a fun idea, executed with aplomb.
In a palace lives Serafina’s other sister, the greedy Queen Donatella (Zwelya Mitchell Dos Santos) who is squandering her country’s wealth on her own personal luxuries. She is loyally waited upon by Teazy Weazy (Phil King) her much put-upon hairdresser and general factotum. Donatella wants Rapunzel tracked down, for her hair could be profitable. Will anyone rescue Rapunzel before Donatella’s henchmen get their hands on her? Teazy Weazy is conflicted; will he remain loyal?
In a role that gently mocks action-packed masculinity, the would-be hero of the tale is Benito (Adam Mirsky), an enthusiastic Boy Scout-like ball of energy yearning to display just how ‘rufty-tufty’ he can be. One of his acrobatic moments, somewhat reminiscent of Tom Cruise, is both very funny and physically impressive. Very sensibly, his relationship with Rapunzel is presented as one of friendship. No soppy romantic stuff here!
Rapunzel is a clever story with contemporary relevance presented with wit, charm and dazzling inventiveness. Designer Madeleine Girling has ensured that it is constantly a joy to look at, and Director Tom Brennan has clearly aimed for every scene to have something that will engage the interest of both adults and children. There is a slight loss of focus and energy in sections of the second half, largely because the plot has created so many relationships that need resolution. But overall, this is an uplifting, joyous show that leaves one feeling better about the world, and one cannot ask for more than that.
★★★★☆ Mike Whitton, 4 December 2025
Photo credit: Camilla Adams
