Hunters Grimm at the Albany and Deptford Lounge

A GROUP of storytellers are taking to the streets from next week for their new show The Hunters Grimm.

South London-based Teatro Vivo is bringing the classic tales of the Brothers Grimm to Deptford audiences but giving them a twist.

Instead of a traditional theatre experience, audiences will be very much part of the action and will help the actors find the stories in this promenade production.

"The Grimm brothers went around and collected stories from friends, neighbours and people they met in their travels," says director Sophie Austin.

"In fact they also got other people to help them and from there they put the stories together.

"It was very much a collaborative effort and for us it was a fascinating idea - what does it mean to be a story hunter?

"So using our style of theatre we are going to try and recreate this idea with our show."

When audiences arrive at the Albany they will be divided into two groups and sent on a mission taking them around the streets of Deptford.

As they hunt for the stories they will meet actors in character along the way who will help them by telling their tales which will be taken back to the Deptford Lounge which has been transformed into a storytelling lounge.

Some of the tales they find will be familiar but all will be given a dark twist. Among the characters to be met are an anarchic frog convinced he is a prince, musicians and a wicked step mother.

"The wolf who ate Little Red Riding Hood is now a pelt on the floor of Deli X and the nasty step mother is still concerned that she is not as beautiful as her step daughter so she is considering killing her," says Sophie.

"Not everyone will see all the characters as it depends what group they are in but all the stories collected will be brought back to Deptford Lounge where all will be revealed," says Sophie.

"They are all familiar stories but dark ones in that they deal with death and nasty things that happen to people so not really designed for kids - it's more of a grown up event.

"That said there is a lot of humour to be had and even some dancing with the musicians.

"Everyone loves stories and we at Teatro Vivo like telling them in a way people like to hear them," she adds.

"Shakespeare is my big inspiration and groundlings were very much part of the show in his day. This is an old school way of listening and sharing, with the audience very much part of it and they have a clear role.

"We hope it will inspire and engage the audience - it will be a fun evening but anyone who comes along should wear appropriate clothing!"

The Hunters Grimm begins at Deptford Lounge and ends at The Albany. It runs from Wednesday, October 22, until Saturday, November 8.

Tickets cost £12 or £10 concessions. Visit www.thealbany.org.uk or call the box office on 020 8692 4446.