If you go down to Deptford High Street today, you’re in for a big surprise. You might not find dark, tangled woods, but you will discover fairytales that have been given a twist, courtesy of Teatro Vivo’s rough-and-ready but delightful promenade piece (below). In nooks and crannies on the street and in local bars and shops, stories suddenly emerge. Rapunzel will tell you her sad story opposite Kiki’s Hair Salon, one of Cinderella’s stepsisters gets a chance to explain why she must snare the Deptford Prince, even though he is clearly a twit. You might even encounter a wolf or some dancing princesses.
The show, which begins in the library, reminds us that stories are all around us and can pop up in the most unlikely places. The audience is charged to become fearless story hunters and assistants to story collectors extraordinaire, the Brothers Grimm: Jacob and Wilhelm. Fighting his way through the thicket of oral wonder-tales, with their thread of murder and mutilation, has left Wilhelm feeling a mite depressed: we need to find a story with a happily-ever-after ending to cheer him up.
It’s all good fun and neatly staged with a hard-working cast and plenty of joie de vivre as they lead us on a merry dance. You might even get to dance with the musicians of Bremen. It’s a show that brings a smile to the face as it celebrates the power of storytelling. If I have any doubts, they are over the pitching and tone of the show: it’s not quite dark, layered or thoughtful enough to appeal to an adult audience, but it clearly isn’t intended for children, either.
• Until 8 November. Box office: 020-8692 4446. Details: The Albany.
