GRIMM TALES by Carol Ann Duffy
On Saturday 6th June 2009 at 7.30pm, the Irving Stage Company performed Carol Anne Duffy's Grimm Tales as part of the Haverhill Drama Festival.
Director - Jackie Deane
Cast Members - Andrew Deane, Dick Hamshere, Dennis O'Leary, Jan Cruickshank, Carol Tricker
Fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel are told to millions around the world, yet what most of us do not know is that the tales we all loved as children were not originally meant for children's ears. The Grimm brothers considered themselves patriotic folklorists; their original intention for their collection was not to entertain children. The early editions were published without illustrations and were heavily documented with academic notes.
The Grimms wrote in a period referred to as the Romantic Era. In the Grimm's time, Germany had yet to become a unified nation. It was, in fact, under Napoleon's rule. The brothers began compiling the stories to maintain German culture, not merely to entertain. They feared the literary traditions of their people were endangered by French occupation so they published the stories they gathered. It was not until they realized the desire for softer, child-friendly stories that they reworked their tales. While these tales remain violent in many ways, the brothers toned down the violence and highlighted the lessons that each story offered. These are the stories we recognize today as the Grimm folktales. While our imaginations are delighted by candy houses and talking animals, remember the original reason why the brothers Grimm gave us these remarkable tales.