Just when I thought I’d seen every take on Rumpelstiltskin, Andrew Sawyer’s experimental theatre company, Becoming Theater, flips the fairy tale inside out without touching Disney. In Kin, the story shifts from the imp to Rapunzel (Lauren Steinmann). The title hints at his involvement, but placing her at the centre immediately signals something unusual, and raises the question: why are these two characters sharing the same story?
That twist can feel disorienting, but it makes for an engaging reinterpretation. And it’s the type of show that’s appropriate to test out in the world of Fringe Theatre. Also, I’m fairly sure the Brothers Grimm never explicitly identified the Queen’s daughter as Rapunzel, so this fresh angle works. And when the Fringe is often the home for many new takes on their content, I knew I had to check this show out!
Continue reading “Becoming Theater’s Kin Is More Than A Bold Play On Words”