GRIMM | Shake & Stir
All images: Joel Devereux
I’m a huge fan of horror movies and shows and as far as I’m concerned, the campy, kind of self aware horror style is the absolute pinnacle of the genre. Shake & Stir are one of Queensland’s best known theatre companies and they know how to put on a show. GRIMM, their latest offering, was no exception and soared into the self aware, campy horror I love with both glee and skill.
The Brother’s Grimm were German storytellers in the 18th Century, and they created some of our best known fairytale characters. These tales of yore were definitely not the Disneyfied version.
GRIMM takes the Brother’s stories and runs with them, deftly spanning the gap between Into the Woods and Scream. Following four well known Grimm fairytale characters on their respective journeys through the local woods filled with danger, there were intertwined narratives, laughter and a little bit of friendly cannibalism.
The GRIMM actors’ skill, range and humour were well displayed throughout the show before twists and turns that made the audience applaud and cheer in our seats. All of the actors carried their respective narratives with charisma and willingness to go all out for the multiple characters they played. A standout for me was Nelle Lee, one of the show’s creators and artistic directors at Shake and Stir. She played Red Riding Hood, among other characters, and balanced dizzying quick changes, with set climbing stunts that made me hold onto my chair a bit tighter, accomplished accent work and even a bit of puppetry.
All images: Joel Devereux
From walking in and sitting down amidst the luxuriously dressed guests, (specifically requested for opening night) the show was a sensory experience. The sound and lighting design of GRIMM became a character of its own, with disco sparkles and lounging cabaret style piano medleys, punctured by very adult, very funny innuendos. The set design and costumes were also a feast to the senses, with the theatre transformed into a red and blue hued phantasmagoria, harkening back to Victorian era East End bars, children lost in the wild forest and there was a plethora of apples everywhere- so many apples!
Comedic audience interaction underpinned the humour of show, creating a real connection between the audience and the performers. Especially for those in the front row - as a warning for those who might be a bit shy. These moments were enthusiastically engaged with by the crowd. They yelled, clapped and laughed whenever requested with gusto. Due to the four interlinking narratives, this was a fast moving, intellectually stimulating work with a well crafted message about the need for more open queerness in storytelling, about the fact that the queer community is not going anywhere, about protecting and listening to women and combatting ageism. These values were harkened back to multiple times in the story, but also never overtook the fun and horror of the show itself.
GRIMM was a rollercoaster ride run with exceptional care in each area of production, from character to costume, sound design to audience interaction sequences. With a highly skilled cast, strong writing and message and fast moving pace of storytelling, I had an absolute blast seeing Grimm. If you love horror with a heart, you will love it too.
‘GRIMM’ plays at QPAC’s Cremorne Theatre from 31 August to 6 October as a part of the 2024 Brisbane Festival.
All images: Joel Devereux
