Not some Disney fairytale review.

by Zuleika Buhar

We all know the classic stories of Rumplestiltskin, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Snow White, but how did the Brothers Grimm originally write these stories? Held at the Bishops College Auditorium on the 26th and 27th of August, the Drama Clubs of Bishops College and S. Thomas’ Prep presented an exceptional reenactment of a select few of these stories inspired by the script of The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon originally written by Don Zolidis.

The small cast consisted of only eight students who played multiple roles, not forgetting to mention the phenomenal acting of Nethra Peiris and Janindi Pereira who played more than five different roles simultaneously in one act. 

They put on an hour and a half long production together through the cast and crew’s hard work and dedication, alongside the strengthening support of director Lihan Mendis.

I watched the evening show on the 26th of August and was taken aback by the waves of energy that emanated from the stage, amidst the nostalgia that washed over me as I watched my childhood play out before me.

The show began with a preface from the two main narrators, played by Akhil Skanthakumar and Shukriya Ghouse. They opened the show up by explaining their primary objective, to tell as many of the 209 Brothers Grimm fairy tales in one comprehensive exhilarating story.

The performance included Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Snow White, and other renowned classics as well.

It was an eye-catching performance that left the audience enthralled and in fits of laughter the entire performance.

I’d also like to commend the backstage and lighting team as well on its seamless execution throughout. 

I loved the inclusion of the audience in the performance (lovely break of the fourth wall) and the Sri Lankan jokes scattered about. 

The cast I watched could have worked on their acoustics in terms of projection and annunciation as some phrases were lost amidst the laughter and some lines were not clear enough to be heard or understood. Timing and pauses would have done wonders.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the adaptation of the Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon in its humorous entirety. The show finished with a quick recap of each story, which retold an hour and a half of stories in a matter of 2 minutes. The show left each audience member with new perspectives on the fairytales, due to its more realistic and darker approach then than what most people think of when they hear the stories’ titles. 

Brilliant direction by Lihan Mendis, we look forward to the productions to come.