White as snow, Red as blood

2005/2006

White as Snow Red as Blood reflects the glamour, gore and gloominess of the fairy tale princess. Slipping sliced feet into glass slippers, Zoo Indigo turns the page of stories we take for granted to spin yarns as sinister as Little Red Riding Hood, as chauvinistic as Cinderella and as terrifying as Bluebeard. From the frightened little girl to the femme fatale, this show tells the modern day fairy tale of what it is to be a woman. Facing up to The Big Bad Wolf of hangovers, mortgages and marriages and being left on the hanger.

Zoo Indigo explore themes with a touching combination of sensitivity and humour. White as Snow Red as Blood introduces their unique blend of lyrical writing, physical theatre and digital projection in a visually stunning set of looking-glass magic.

Image: James Matteson

Performers & Devisers | Rosie Garton and Ildiko Rippel
Multi-media | Barret Hodgson
Dramaturge | Michael Pinchbeck
Music Contributions | Chris Smyth

Review

Powerhouse, Nottingham
October 25th 2005

“The female in the fairy tale world is so often seen as an immaculate Snow White of Cinderella whirling into the golden sunshine of the happy ending. White as Snow, Red as Blood reads between the lines of the tales, asking what happens after the happy ever after. The darkly amusing possibilities of the fairytale characters unfold before us, juicy real female issues projected onto the glossy sentimental red shoed fairy tale. The production is presented as if from the dressing room, with a simple set of mirrors and costume rails that move to different spaces as we stop to look through the looking glass, combining effectively with projected visuals and some simple shadowy lighting. Pleasing it most certainly is as the dark humour of seeing our fairytale lore challenged and expanded down cruel avenues, as well as through sweet and shining ones, brings many a wry smile.

The multimedia aspect of this production, with visuals by Barret Hodgson, supports the performers with early 20th century storybook imagery and some interesting extra effects, particularly impressive was the imaginative panning footage of red shoes that sparkles, live beat to the background music.

On the whole I enjoyed it, the show was well written and thought provoking – this deserves further outing.”

Dom Henry
Left Lion