Theatre graduates return to stage with hit adaptation of Grimm tale

A theatre company formed by Coventry University performing arts graduates is set to return to the stage at the end of January with its popular adaptation of a Brothers Grimm tale.

Strongbox Theatre - Twelve Dancing Princesses

Strongbox Theatre – Twelve Dancing Princesses

Strongbox Theatre – which was started up by former theatre and professional practice students Cassey North, Joshua Patel and Laura Whitehouse – will present ‘The Twelve Dancing Princesses’ at the Ellen Terry theatre on Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th at 7.30pm.

The performance is the trio’s take on the dark and poignant Grimm brothers’ tale of the same name, and is inspired by Jeanette Winterson’s modern classic ‘Sexing the Cherry’.

In the graduates’ playful depiction of the story, twelve sisters are torn apart and forced to marry twelve princes, but rebel against their demons in an attempt to reunite and live as they once did. The audience is invited to join them and their enchanting Broken Hearts Band as they embark on their adventure.

Strongbox debuted the play last year in the Shop Front Theatre as part of the annual degree show at Coventry University, and it was so well received that the company is restaging it on the University’s city centre campus.

The theatre group is now one of Coventry’s hopefuls to go forward to the prestigious National Student Drama Festival in Scarborough later in 2013.

Joshua Patel, co-founder of Strongbox Theatre and graduate of Coventry University’s Theatre and Professional Practice BA (Hons) degree, said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing our adaption of this fascinating Brothers Grimm fairy tale back to the stage here in Coventry. Now that we’ve found our feet, we’re hoping to gain a name for Strongbox Theatre and we’re looking forward to sharing our work with a much wider audience in 2013.”

To book a seat for the show, email [email protected] – tickets are £5 for adults and £3 concessions, and the recommended age is 14yrs+.