In January and February 2007 the award-winning Danish theatre company Gruppe 38 will perform three plays at Unicorn Theatre, a world-class children’s theatre centre on the South Bank in London. Gruppe 38 are known for their vividly imaginative children’s theatre and their distinctive dark humour.

The Little Match girl
16-21 January
In the depths of the Nordic winter, a little girl lights a match for warmth, illuminating a captivating vision. Peering past the glow of the match, she glimpses a snug room with a crackling fire and a table groaning with food. Stretching out her arms it seems almost within her grasp… With music, shadows and puppetry, this is an uplifting version of Hans Christian Andersen’s enduring fairytale.

There will be a post-show Q&A session with the cast on 18 and 19 January.

Run Chicken Run
23-26 January
Poul tells anarchic stories with the help of his invisible assistant and a succession of bizarre objects that pop through the trap doors of his ingenious set. The audience is invited to imagine a farmyard full of pigs, a hot air balloon-ride high over lakes and forests, and a miniature disco packed with hundreds of party-going mice.

There will be a post-show Q&A session with the cast on 25 and 26 January.

A Sonatina
27 January – 4 February
Three travellers break down in their little van. To pass the time, they decide to tell themselves the tale of Little Red Riding Hood – but with a real live chicken, a double bass and a collection of very odd objects in the back of the van, there’s no telling how the story will end…

There will be a post-show Q&A session with the cast on 1 and 2 February.

Unicorn Theatre
147 Tooley Street
More London
Southwark
London SE1 2HZ
www.unicorntheatre.com

The website of Gruppe38: www.gruppe38.dk

Scene from The Little Match Girl