[Ad-gifted] The Company of Wolves at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme will take your breath away. Colette Warbrook reviews.
Combining gothic horror, folklore and thrilling aerial acrobatics, it’s the New Vic doing what it does best: creating immersive theatre that pulls audiences into another world.
The Company of Wolves is a new stage production of Angela Carter’s gripping horror story of the same name. Directed by New Vic artistic director Theresa Heskins and Upswing artistic director Vicki Dela Amedume MBE, it builds on their 15-year partnership that has brought shows like Dracula (2015) to theatre-in-the-round.
Developed with support from the National Theatre’s Generate programme, the production tells Angela Carter’s version of the Little Red Riding Hood story that’s filled with danger, desire and suspense.
Written during the ‘Reclaim The Night’ movement in the 1970s, The Company of Wolves featured in Angela Carter’s ground-breaking second collection of work, The Bloody Chamber. It was adapted in 1980 for radio, with a subsequent adaptation in 1984 for film.
What I thought of the show
Think you know the Little Red Riding Hood story?
Well, think again…
The New Vic’s seductive production of The Company of Wolves will turn what you know about the classic folk tale on its head.
I’ve long been a fan of Angela Carter (the author who penned the story this stage show is adapted from), so was eager to see the tale brought to life in the theatre-in-the-round. And, as usual, the New Vic blew me away.
The team behind the production didn’t have an easy job on their hands. As co-director Theresa Heskins points out in the show programme, neither Carter’s short story or radio play offer the “framework of a conventional narrative”.
But, luckily for us theatregoers, Heskins took a leap of faith, and the results are spellbinding.
The production centres on Red (Danielle Bird), a girl who is endlessly fascinated by her grandmother’s graphic stories of the beasts that lurk outside the villagers’ homes. But Red refuses to give in to fear or stop her trips through the forest. And what will happen when she meets a charming huntsman on one of her walks to Granny’s house?
The show uses spectacular circus elements to build on the atmosphere and suspense. The ‘wolf pack’ perform thrilling aerial acrobatics, while the production takes full advantage of the in-the-round space with evocative soundscapes that surround the audience. And with fantastic performances across the cast, the show deserved its standing ovation.
So, put on your red cape, pick up your basket and dare to stray from the path to The Company of Wolves this autumn – you won’t be disappointed.
Cast
Danielle Bird: Red
Matthias Camilleri: Hunted Wolf
Gabrielle Cook: Wolf Alice
Sebastian Charles: Wolf/Gentleman
Callum Donald: Wolf
Lorna Laidlaw: Granny
Tanya-Loretta Dee: Mother/Bride
Dan Parr: Hunter
Jimmy Wong: Wolf Bridegroom
Creatives
Co-director: Theresa Heskins
Co-director: Vicki Dela Amedume MBE
Set designer: Laura Willstead
Costume designer: Lis Evans
Lighting and projection designer: Daniella Beattie
Music composition and production: James Atherton
Sound designer: Alex Day
Casting director: Anji Carroll CDG
Assistant director: Polly Wain
How much are the tickets for The Company of Wolves?
Tickets are on sale now, priced from £10 to £31.50. Suitable for Ages 13+
How do I book tickets to watch The Company of Wolves?
Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 01782 717962 or visit the New Vic Theatre’s website here.
How long is the show for and what are the timings?
The Company of Wolves will run until Saturday, 12 Oct 2024 with evening shows at 7.30pm and Matinee at 2.15pm (on 3/5/10/12 Oct). No performances on 25, 26, 29 & 30 September, or 6 & 7 October.
Interpreted Performances:
Captioned: 7.30pm on Tue, 8 October
Audio described: 2.15pm on Sat, 12 October
Where is New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme?
New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0JG
The theatre has a large car park, with a £2 charge on show days. Only contactless card payment is currently accepted for parking charges.
The theatre café is open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday – then from 5.30pm for pre-show meals.
Booking is required for pre-show meals 5.30pm onwards, via their booking system at this link.
About The New Vic Theatre
Founded in 1962, the New Vic is the producing theatre for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. With around eight major productions a year, its varied programme includes contemporary drama, new commissions, adaptations and classics. Recent productions have toured nationally and internationally, and have transferred to London and Manchester. The New Vic has developed extensive and award-winning community involvement. It works regionally, nationally and internationally through its education department and New Vic Borderlines, which aims to change the lives of the most disadvantaged members of the community. The New Vic is funded by Arts Council England, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council.
Review by: Colette Warbrook
You may also want to read this:
Review: Tom, Dick and Harry at the New Vic Theatre
Review: The Wind In The Willows at the New Vic Theatre
Review: Astley’s Astounding Adventures at the New Vic Theatre
Photo copyright: New Vic Theatre/Andrew Billington
* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.
28 comments
Sounds like an interesting play. Thanks for the review of the play and the theater.
You are welcome, we love supporting our local theatres
This is so so cool!!! I would love to watch this one, it seems amazing…The company of Wolves, I hope they make it to my city.
I hope they do so you get to see it in person
That is the coolest! I love the story and setting, and the aerial work really adds to the whole vibe.
Thank you, I really enjoyed my evening at the theatre
I really love this darker take on Little Red Riding Hood. I love the way they incorporated the acrobatics into it, as well. That’s so creative!
Yes something unexpected but it worked so well
I’d love to see this. Even the children’s version of Little Red Riding hood is pretty dark if you think about it for a second. I think an even darker, horror-themed retelling sounds amazing.
It is a story we all grew up with but interpreted so differently and wonderfully
Looks like an exciting and groundbreaking production. I love the use of ribbons and other circus-like elements. Little Red Riding Hood is really dark. I was once told that the original “fairy” tales were purposely scary to keep children close to home where they were safer.
How interesting, I did not know that..now you have said it, it makes sense as this production more more dark and gothic like
Love the look of the aerials. I think I would enjoy this show.
I am sure you would Tania
This sounds like an incredible reimagining of a classic tale! I love the circus elements!
That was breath taking to watch
I feel like stories like Little Red Riding Hood have been done so many times – it’s fantastic to hear about it being done so differently! This sounds like a captivating performance.
This version is one of the best, very visually enticing and captivated the audience from start to finish
The combination of gothic horror, aerial acrobatics, and immersive storytelling is something I know my family would love. I appreciate the recommendation!!!
You are welcome, a show not to be missed
The Company of Wolves at the New Vic Theatre sounds like an interesting show to me. Thanks for the recommendation!
You are welcome, glad to be of help
I just love the sound of this show, I generally like anything by Angela Carter so would love to see what they have done with this.
You would love it Jenny, so unpredictable and refreshing
It looks like a fun show, I would love to watch this show. Thanks for the detail review .
It was thrilling to watch the live show
This looks so interesting and well done. I love the lighting and staging. I haven’t been to a performance in a long time — this would be a treat.
It was a treat indeed Marysa