A fairytale moves to dark side
Once upon a time takes on frightening new meaning in A.N. Myer’s chilling production of Gnaw.
We all know the classic story of Hansel and Gretel — or do we? In this sinister retelling, A.N. Myer presents a version in which happily ever after is never found.
In a village struck by famine, Hansel and Gretel live with their harsh parents in a house devastated by poverty. Their father, Bullpig, is the leader of a mysterious pack that ravages refugees to find sustenance. When he goes on a trip from which he might not return, desperation hangs heavy above the family, their main source of meals gone. Left with their dauntingly severe mother, the lengths they take to find food are rivetingly depicted. As tensions mount, the fine line between reality and fiction comes into question.
The cast and crew successfully created an eerie show that shocked audiences with its violent and grisly themes. The talented cast, made up of actors of varying dramatic background, possessed remarkable acting abilities, each member fully immersed in their role. Instead of shying away from the macabre subject matter, the company embraced it, emphasizing the darker manifestations of human morality.
Standout performances were given by Jessica Danecker as Edee, who brought a subtle intensity to the play, accomplished through her mastery of facial expression and her quiet manipulations, and Ron Dempsey as Bullpig whose palpably angry outbursts left the audience speechless. Alongside the leads, Chelsea Toews brought raw emotion to her character of Gretel, and had great physicality.
Ambience is an important element to any production, and in this regard, the crew displayed considerable creativity. Shadows on screens upstage were used to enhance the story, with puppets that on first glance seemed innocent enough, but grew ominous upon further inspection. The shadow of the fabled forest witch, translated on screen by Ceilidh Peters, created a frightening personification of evil, its anonymity instilling fear of the unknown in the audience.
Another interesting aspect of the production was found in the sound effects. Every sound cue was executed live by a talented group of students, adding originality and dimension to the play. This, paired with the engaging lighting cues that were impressively used to elevate the narrative, created a creepy atmosphere that contributed to the psychological thrill of the show.
As for the costumes and set, they were minimalistic, in accordance with the grim climate the characters found themselves in. Makeup was well used to highlight their gaunt features, providing visual evidence of the hunger the family endures.
Although the cast suffered some missed and mumbled lines, and a few minor prop malfunctions, the hair-raising mood was never lost.
Overall, A.N. Myer’s recent production of Gnaw was a thrilling performance that showcased the witches living within us all.