Moon knights and detectives: Christmas tales in theaters
It's fairytale time again on Hamburg's stages: During the Advent season, numerous theaters invite young visitors to Christmas fairy tales. Fairy tale classics and stage versions of popular children's books are on offer until the festive season and in some places beyond. The musical "Christmas Bakery" (from the age of 4) with songs by Rolf Zuckowski has already become a tradition. The turbulent play at Schmidts Tivoli invites you to sing along this season until Boxing Day. The exciting story "Lord of the Thieves" (ages 9 and up), based on the novel by Cornelia Funke, is also back on the Schauspielhaus program from 2 December to 7 January. Here is a selection of premieres:
"ROBIN HOOD": In the St. Pauli Theater's version, Robin Hood is a brave girl who, together with his comrades-in-arms, takes on the nasty Prince John. He and his sidekick, the Sheriff of Nottingham, drive the people into poverty and hunger with ever more absurd taxes and levies. Robin and her gang devise cunning plans to help the poor population. The fight for justice, directed by Felix Bachmann, features lots of live music from the band Tante Polly. The witty, hour-long production for children aged 5 and up is in the program until 21 December.
"DORNRÖSCHEN": The "Theater für Kinder" presented a fast-paced version that is both modern and full of fairytale imagery. The fairy regrets the curse pronounced on her when she meets the lovely girl Rosabella at the age of 15. She tries in vain to prevent her own curse. 300 years pass. Now there are only three days left. Can Miro save Rosabella in time? Children aged 5 and over can accompany him on his adventurous quest through the whole world until February 4 - even up to the sun, moon and stars.
"PUSS IN BOOTS": In this version of the fairy tale based on the Brothers Grimm, the miller's son is really angry at first. His brothers inherit well - but in his opinion, he only gets a nasty and lazy tomcat. However, the young man is soon on a lucky streak, because the cat with the great boots is clever and funny. Then a princess turns up and says: "Prince or miller's son doesn't matter - the main thing is a really great friend and a cool cat." But before that, an evil magician provides plenty of excitement. The 90-minute play for children aged four and up, directed by Hartmut Uhlemann, can be seen at the Ernst Deutsch Theater until December 23.
"DIE DREI ??? KIDS - The Singing Ghost": Children aged 8 and over can look forward to an exciting adventure with the three ??? kids at the Hamburg Kammerspiele. Uncle Titus has bought an old grandfather clock at an auction. But as soon as it's in the scrapyard, lots of people are after it. What secret is hidden in the clock? Justus Jonas, Peter Shaw and Bob Andrews want to find out. A singing ghost leads them on a dangerous trail. The production by director Hans Schernthaner is on the program from November 29 to December 20.
"RUMPELSTILZCHEN": The Christmas tale at the Ohnsorg Theater in the new version by Frank Grupe tells the story of the miller's daughter, who can supposedly spin gold even from straw. When the queen hears about this, she puts the girl to the test: overnight, she is to turn the straw piled up in a chamber into gold. A little man is willing to help the miller's daughter - but only if he has her first child. There is only one chance to prevent this: The miller's daughter must guess the little man's name. With lots of music, colorful stage sets and great costumes, this spiced-up classic fairy tale for children aged 4 and up, based on the story by the Brothers Grimm, is on at the theater until 26 December.
"ROTKÄPPCHEN - The one who howls with the wolf": The theater makers transport Little Red Riding Hood to a small-town idyll called Pöselberg. It is forbidden to go into the forest there because of the evil wolf. But Little Red Riding Hood makes her way to her cool grandma anyway and has an encounter with the four-legged friend. But not everything is as it seems at first glance. Alexandra Kurzeja and Torben Padanyi have given the Brothers Grimm's fairy tale a proper makeover and turned it into a rocking musical for children aged 4 and over about courage and prejudice. It can be seen from December 1 to 30. The music is by Arne Gedigk and Mats Sharma from "Radau!".
"FUNKEL, FUNKEL, KLEINER STERN": A pre-Christmas journey to the firmament celebrates its premiere at the Planetarium on December 10. Moon knight Konrad and star fairy Astrella explore the question for children aged 4 and over: what was the Christmas star? A comet, a supernova or an unknown planet? They get help from an angel and a star master. "Our Advent play is designed to awaken the spirit of exploration and make children curious to discover the fascinating secrets of the universe," said director Julia Wachsmann. Further performances are planned for December 17.
In the Advent season, some theaters offer a theater production suitable for children, such as "Funkel, Funkel, Kleinerstern" at the Planetarium, where Moon knights and star fairies explore the origins of the Christmas star. This captivating tale is designed to encourage children's curiosity about space exploration.
Parents and children can also enjoy "The Nutcracker Ballet" at the Hamburg Opera, which features a magical journey through a land filled with enchanting characters, providing a fun and engaging experience for the whole family.
Source: www.dpa.com
