Chickenshed’s latest Christmas show is a total reinvention of a traditional fairy tale, writes James Cracknell

Maisie Packer as Red and Michael Bossisse as Wolf (credit Mark Field/Chickenshed)

Year after year, Chickenshed has built its reputation on the strength of its Christmas shows – and 2025 is no exception.

Rather than follow traditional pantomime tropes, the Southgate theatre always find inventive ways to shake things up and – as the directors of RED explain in their programme notes – “tell a story that feels both familiar and fresh”.

On this RED does not disappoint, turning the centuries-old fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood on its head. Without wanting to spoil the surprise completely, let’s just say that the ‘big bad wolf’ in Chickenshed’s production is not all that he seems.

Adding far greater depth, backstory and personality to each of the core characters in the traditional story is not the only big achievement here, as Chickenshed creates a whole new world – “the frozen city of Vargheim” – filled with colourful people, backdrops and of course plenty of musical set pieces.

Drawing together Red, her grandmother and the wolf are “the lost amulets of time”, with each of the three magical stones giving their wearer different powers; to “restore kindness”, “feed darkness”, or “bring balance”. Hence, expectations are flipped with the discovery of different amulets by different characters.

Chickenshed describe the script as “inspired by folklore and fantasy” which “brings together hundreds of performers, musicians and storytellers to reimagine an ancient myth for today’s world”.

As is par for the course, Chickenshed’s vast troupe of 800 performers – mostly children and young people, including many with additional needs – are split into different rotas. This year there are five rotations and, although I’ve only seen one of these myself, I’m told that each brings something different to the production, so repeated visits might be in order!

I have never not enjoyed a Chickenshed show, and what always impresses me is the creativity and imagination involved with these Christmas productions each year. The music is catchy, the dance routines are spectacular, and the performers are a joy to watch.

But RED also delivers surprises, character development and an underlying message – encouraging the audience to “look a little deeper, to question appearances and consider what lies beneath”.

RED runs at Chickenshed Theatre in Chase Road, Southgate (N14 4PE) from now until Saturday, 10th January. To book tickets:
Call 020 8292 9222
Visit chickenshed.org.uk/events/red

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