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Recommended play – Grim and Gruesome Grimm by Evelyn Merritt

Welcome to Spotlight Play. Tired of fairy tale adaptations that are sick of sweets? enter Grimm and awful! This adaptation of Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Mrs. Evelyn Merritt is not for the faint of heart – but it is definitely for your students!

Grimm’s original fairy tales are far from sweet, naive, innocent, syrupy or charming. They are not at all typical: Death. Cannibalism. Death. Live funeral. Death. Burning alive. Death. Abduction. Death. Cutting the head and body parts. Death. These stories are not for the faint of heart! Join us for a gloomy and terrifying walk through dark forests and ugly characters. It doesn’t hold a number of corpses.

A playful and theatrical adaptation with flexible genres, flexible cast size and two lengths in one act.

Why did I publish this song?
Grimm’s fairy tales are classic. But most of the time, the classic versions are not the original versions. And especially because there are many deaths, beheadings, cannibalism and much more in the original versions and that is not, oh, acceptable in today’s children’s stories.

But in a high school play? Absolute! We love our Halloween and horror-themed play section (especially our horror / humorous pieces) and Grim and Gruesome Grimm fit perfectly. Don’t ask for a diluted children’s version – we keep all cannibalism.

Let’s hear from the author!

1. Why did you write this play?
I love fairy tales, all kinds of fairy tales. Even the scariest ones! I’ve always shared Grim’s PG versions, and I love the opportunity to share less PG versions.

2. Describe the topic in one or two sentences.
Never turn your stepmother’s back.

3. What is the most important visual material for you in this play?
There are some particularly bloody moments in the story that are more theatrical than horror. It’s just not possible on stage. I think it’s important to always keep the theater of a play in pictures, rather than try realism.

4. If you could give advice to those who produce the song, what would it be?
Everything is done on stage. All the costumes, props, sound effects, let the audience see everything!

5. Why is this piece great for student performers?
It’s a great piece to have fun with the character and the fact that any student can play any character. It’s all about taking on a role. Put on a crown and instantly become a king with the right posture and attitude. Roles must not be binary or limiting. Anyone can become anything in a fairy tale.


Gand your copy a Grimm and awful right here right now!

Not suitable for your group right now? Browse our catalog of games to find one that your performers will love!

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