This Is Not Hansel & Gretel – Banshee Labyrinth

If you think you know the old German tale of Hansel and Gretel, think again! Christian Hege challenges us to rethink the tale, providing more detail than ever before and asking us to question who the real villain in the tale is.

The tale begins with poverty, famine and too much rain for any crop to survive. A widowed man marries a new woman, welcoming her into his impoverished home with his two young children. As time passes and food proves scarce, the new wife decides enough is enough and the children must go. Luring them into the woods to fend for themselves, the children must learn to keep their wits about them, following their own path home and eventually ending up in the home of a witch. The rest you’ll have to attend the show to hear.

Hege is a wonderful storyteller, compelling and expressive. Details are given to aid the tale, but we are never given more than needed. His embodiment of each character is charming, and you find yourself lost in a story you thought you once knew. There are twists, turns and a real sense of danger. There’s no need for projection, puppetry or any other bells and whistles, just plain old wonderful story telling done well.

If you can, follow Hansel’s pebble trail right to the Banshee Labyrinth to see this wonderful show. In the intimate underground space that is The Chamber Room, a good story time session is just what you need on a busy fringe day.

This Is Not Hansel and Gretel plays from 8^th-30th (excluding 18^th,25th) as part of the PBH Free Fringe at 12:00 in the Chamber Room of The Banshee Labyrinth. No need to book, just turn up. For more information follow the link below:

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/this-is-not-hansel-and-gretel

Reviewer: Beth Eltringham

Reviewed: 19th August 2026

North West End UK / Theatre Muse UK Rating: 4