Here we have all the classic fairy tales from one of the most adored storytellers of all time – and all in one show! Growing up many of us enjoyed fairy stories about characters like Thumbelina, Inchworm, and The Little Mermaid. These, and over 150 others, were written in the 19th century by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen and have sparked countless young imaginations since then. And many of us have seen the wonderful film named after the author and starring the great Danny Kaye as Hans.
This show is a timeless treasure and will be brought to life in Henfield Theatre Company’s magical, musical production, full of well-known fairy stories told in song and dance, which will appeal to parents, children and grandparents alike.
The story tells of Hans, a humble cobbler in Odense, Denmark, who spends much of his time in his shop telling stories to the children gathered around him. The local Magistrate and the Schoolmaster are upset that Hans is keeping the children from school, and banish him from the town. Hans travels with his apprentice, Peter, from his home town to seek his fortune in the capital city, ‘Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen’, where he is joined in song by the welcoming crowd.
Hans becomes renowned as a cobbler but has even more success as a storyteller. Wherever Hans goes he is followed by children, and his story of The Ugly Duckling inspires a small boy, teased because of his appearance, to gain in confidence. The boy’s father, the editor of the local newspaper, asks Hans to write down the story for publication and Hans agrees. The ballet of The Little Mermaid tells of the teenage mermaid who dreams of becoming human when she falls in love with a Prince and the ballet, narrated by Hans, becomes a huge success.
Hans, now a successful author, returns to Odense where he enchants the children with more stories and, surrounded by friends and townspeople, the show ends with the rousing retelling of The King’s New Clothes.
Rehearsals are in full swing for this magical family show, to be presented at The Henfield Hall on 12th, 13th and 14th January 2023 at 7.30pm, with a matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday 14th. Directed by Susanna Seaford, with Musical Director Jane Haines, it will have a live orchestra.
Book your tickets here.Kindly sponsored by Andy Blunden Wall and Floor Tiling Ltd, tickets for this unmissable show will be available from 12th December online at the Henfield Theatre Company's website or at Steven’s Estate Agents at £13 (adults) and £10 (children under 16). Previous Christmas shows presented by Henfield Theatre Company, such as The Sound of Music and last year’s Treasure Island, have been hugely successful, so early booking is recommended.
Liz Gibson