FLICKY HARRISON looks at two very different productions being staged in the run-up to Christmas

The delight fright of fairytales and the all too real horror of domestic violence are at the heart of two very different youth theatre productions in Swindon this month.

The sweet treat comes from a reworking of the Brothers Grimm classic Hansel by the New College Performing Arts Department.

Claire Smart, from New College, said: “The classic story has been given a fresh spin with comedy, song and dance and is set in the Kingdom of George the Good where the Wicked Witch of Wild Wood and her side-kick, Big, Bad Wolf, plan to capture the prince and princess.”

The students are performing Hansel and Gretel on Thursday, December 4 and Friday December 5 at the Phoenix Theatre, New College, Walcot from 7.30pm.

Tickets are £5 and £1 for under-12s available from claire.smart@newcollege.ac.uk.

Matinee performances will also be taken out into primary schools in Swindon.

Also touring the schools is the Sixth Sense Theatre Company, based at the Wyvern Theatre, with a gritty production of This Secret Life by Brian Jordan.

This new adaptation looks at abusive relationships and aims to help young people explore personal interaction as a couple, the impact of violence on victims, and how to seek help.

The show follows the recent changes in law for addressing abuse in teenage relationships.

This will be the first production under Sixth Sense’s new artistic director, Mark Powell, who returns to the company following 10 years at Salisbury Playhouse, first in the education department and then as assistant director.

Mark was part of Sixth Sense in 2000 as assistant director and youth theatre leader.

This Secret Life is based around the relationship of college student Lizzie and her boyfriend Jack, who loves her so much that he wants to help her, support her in everything she does and never let go of her...

The show is at the MECA in Regent Circus on Monday, December 1. It is suitable for 12-year-olds upwards.

Tickets are free but donations of women’s and children’s nightwear are welcome to go to Swindon Women’s Aid in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Week.

To book contact sarah@sixthsensetheatre.com or call 01793 614864.