Everyone loves a good fairytale, right?
Mystical creatures, noble quests, good triumphing over evil- the stories we loved as kids but often forget as adults.
Now, the team at Odyssey Theatre is bringing that magic back to life in their enchanting new experience, ‘Once Upon A Grimm Night’.
Focusing on nurturing the work of emerging artists, Odyssey Theatre is a collective of Sydney based creators, interested in creating immersive and innovative theatre experiences. Acknowledging that theatre is not for everyone, the Odyssey team work to bring theatre to more accessible and sometimes unconventional spaces.
Striving to make theatre approachable and fun, they have brought their show ‘Once Upon A Grimm Night’ to Old Government House in Parramatta.
An original work by writer Emily McKendry, ‘Once Upon A Grimm Night’ is an interactive theatre show combined with an escape room. Weaving in themes of the Brothers Grimm fairytales, the experience will see guests meet characters such as the Maiden, the Grimm, the Witch and the Narrator, take part in simple challenges and work together to solve the mystery that plagues the fantasy world of Everafter.
Failure to complete the quest will result in life-changing damage to our world and theirs.
Intrigued by the concept, Parra News had the opportunity to join the experience on its opening night. Needless to say, it was an experience that did not disappoint.
Upon arrival, there was a hint of magic and mystery in the air, a sure sign of what was to come. As we gathered around a fire and learnt of the quest before us, there was an electricity felt among the group, readying us to go onward. Led by the charismatic Narrator, we were taken around the grounds, meeting new characters and picking up clues along the way in order to solve the mystery.
The show was filled with intrigue and mystery, as well as plenty of fun and laughter. A fan of theatre and a past performer myself, it’s clear to me that the actors involved in Once Upon A Grimm Night are extremely dedicated to their craft and genuinely enjoy what they do. Their love of storytelling shone brightly through their performances, creating a believable and entrancing experience for everyone in attendance. Engaged the entire time, I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next in the story, and was eagerly following along to solve the mystery.
The intimate audience size was perfect for working together through challenges, and interacting with characters resulted in some very funny improvised answers from both the audience and cast member’s. The costuming and set designs were well thought out and reflected the characters perfectly, adding to the overall experience.
Whether you grew up on fairytales or are discovering them for the first time, this production has something for everyone. It’s witty, intelligent, heartwarming, shocking and altogether an excellent show. The creators have worked tirelessly to bring these stories to life, and it has resulted in an incredible experience for theatre-lovers and quest-seekers alike. If you’re looking for a new experience or something fun to do with friends, this is it.
‘Once Upon A Grimm Night’ is held at Old Government House, Parramatta, and runs until October 25 with multiple sessions each show night.
Tickets and more information can be found at https://www.odysseytheatre.com.au/once-upon-a-grimm-night-parramatta.
Don’t miss your chance to step inside a fairytale, where the ending, depends on you.
Madeline Dantier is the author of the Experience Parramatta series, hosted by Parra News.