Hansel & Gretel

Created by The Old Trout Puppet Workshop and Pacific Opera Victoria Artistic Director Brenna Corner for Vancouver Opera, this inventive production of Hansel & Gretel creates a wildly imaginative, visually stunning, and magical retelling of Humperdinck’s beloved opera.  When the siblings lose their way in the forest, they enter a world of towering puppets, magical creatures, and the irresistible lure of a dangerously delectable gingerbread house. Lush music and playful humour intertwine with Old Trout’s signature puppetry, turning the opera delightfully on its head while honouring the heart of the fairytale. At once enchanting and surprising, this production celebrates resilience, family, and the enduring power of love, inviting audiences of all ages into a magical operatic adventure.

– Brenna Corner

Once upon a time, on the edge of a beautiful town, stood the dark and mysterious Ilsenstein Forest. Whispers told of a witch who lived deep within its shadows, luring children to her gingerbread house and transforming them into sweet treats.

Hansel and Gretel live with their parents in poverty. Hungry and restless while their mother searches for food, the children neglect their chores, and in frustration she sends them into the forest to gather strawberries. When their father returns home and hears where they have gone, he is horrified. Together, the parents race into the woods, fearing the children have wandered into the Witch’s domain.

As evening falls, Hansel and Gretel lose their way among the enchanted trees. Strange lights drift through the darkness, but before fear can overtake them, the Sandman appears, sprinkling magical dust that carries them into peaceful sleep beneath the watchful protection of fourteen angels.

At dawn, the Dew Fairy awakens the children. Before them stands an irresistible gingerbread house. As they begin to nibble at its walls, its owner appears: Rosina Sugartooth, who first introduces herself as a kindly old woman before revealing her true identity as the fearsome Gingerbread Witch. Using dark magic, she imprisons Hansel and commands Gretel to help prepare a dreadful feast.

When the Witch orders Gretel to inspect the blazing oven, the clever children turn the tables, pushing the Witch into the fire instead. As the flames die away, the gingerbread house reveals its terrible secret: the cookies are children from the town, trapped under the Witch’s spell. Freed by the Witch’s defeat, they return to their human forms. Hansel and Gretel’s parents finally find their children safe and surrounded by those they have rescued. Together they celebrate a miracle, discovering that even in the darkest forest, love, courage, and kindness are stronger than evil.

Cast, Creative Team, and running time are subject to change.