Are you ready to watch Hansel and Gretel come to life?

Oldham Theatre Workshop’s Professional Company are back to delight and enchant theatre lovers again this Christmas with their new musical production, Hansel and Gretel, which opens on tomorrow (Saturday) and runs until December 29.

Through innovative storytelling, puppetry, live music and song, the company will bring to life one of the world’s best-loved fairy-tales.

The show is performed in the intimate theatre space of Oldham Library and at only £8 a ticket, it’s a great way to escape into the magic of Christmas with the family (age 4+).

The cast from last year’s hugely successful Peter Pan return, including Natasha Davidson, Sophie Ellicott, Daniel Hartshead and Madeleine Edmondson, with a welcome to Sam Winterbottom, who joins to play Hansel.

Sam is a singer/songwriter and has spent the last few years touring the UK and USA.

His debut EP reached No.6 in the iTunes singer/songwriter chart.

He has appeared in The Knight of the Burning Pestle at Shakespeare’s Globe, Close the Coalhouse Door and Our Day Out at Oldham Coliseum, and Blood Brothers UK Tour.

Natasha Davidson is so excited to return to live@thelibrary to play Gretel.

She said: “We found in rehearsals, and through costume and exploration is that we are not trying to place gender stereotypes on the two characters.

"Gretel is not your typical girly damsel-in-distress so that is a really interesting take."

Natasha trained at the Academy of Live & Recorded Arts and has since been in a range of theatre shows across the country including Our Day Out and Hindle Wakes at Oldham Coliseum.

She won a MTA for best supporting actress for her role as 'Catherine' in Bolton Octagon's A View From The Bridge.

Daniel Hartshead plays the children’s Father.

After his training at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and University of Central Lancashire, he has appeared in numerous shows including The Snow Queen by Relative Pitch Opera, and Celluloid at 3MT Manchester.

Sophie Ellicott is overjoyed to be back and playing two characters – the Stepmother and the Witch.

Recent credits include two acclaimed productions that hit the stage at Hope Mill Theatre earlier this year – Closets The Musical by Eyre and Ely, and The Visitor’s Book by OTW – alongside appearances on the famous cobbles of Coronation Street.

Madeleine Edmondson has been part of Oldham Theatre Workshop for five years alongside playing ‘Chloe Gifford’ in ITV’s Cold Feet.

Madeleine said: “If you’re four you’ll love the show and if you’re 84 you’ll love the show.

"It’s just a nice heart-warming thing to do over the Christmas season.”

Tickets available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hansel-and-gretel-tickets-47849997631 or can be purchased direct from Oldham Library front desk.

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