Rapunzel – Skipton Town Hall

Writer: Bethan Woollvin

Adapter and Director: Elvi Piper

Wrongsemble and Elvi Piper have an excellent record of pitching theatre to the young, but labelling a play as suitable for 3+ has its drawbacks. The afternoon audience at Skipton’s elegantly refurbished Town Hall was very much at the lower end of the age group and was somewhat perplexed by the odd accents and the demands on them to join in. No matter, actors Krushnaa Chousalkar and Rosie Fox happily spread the entertainment and enjoyed themselves no end with all the shyly delighted little ones being photographed after the show!

Before the start the PA system entertained us with all sorts of country favourites. What, you may ask, have the Carter Family and Kenny Rogers to do with Rapunzel? The answer comes when the show starts with two witches in jail belting out their own version of country. Then we’re on to the story of Rapunzel, but a more empowered take on Rapunzel in Bethan Woollvin’s version. The witch keeps her locked up in the tower, making money out of selling her hair, but Rapunzel escapes and meets up with her new friend, a horse. The prince, so far being the heroic rescuer, is a shadowy figure. In the end the witch falls to her death, undone by her own scissors (Rapunzel having stolen them), and the witches are vanquished.

Chousalkar is Rapunzel, among other parts, perpetually chirpy and lively, and partnering with Fox (mainly the witch) perfectly. Both change parts wittily, Fox altering her appearance most. They make the most of the generally country-style songs. The undoubted highlight is the dance where Chousalkar and Fox invade the audience as Rapunzel and her horse friend. The clopping of horse’s hooves is only one of the expertly managed sound effects.

Elvi Piper directs energetically on a set that reproduces many of Woollvin’s designs including a flowing river of hair (the half-gate saloon entrance is a nice touch, too).

Reviewed on 13th June 2026. On tour of England.