RED

Chickenshed Theatre

★★★★★

“fills the audience with joy, curiosity, and genuine wonder”

Red reimagines the familiar tale of Little Red Riding Hood, inviting us to dig deeper into the grey areas between villain and hero. Supported by the passion of over 200 performers, this vast, ambitious musical adaptation redefines the story as an exploration of identity, perception, and the courage it takes to truly see beyond the obvious.

Directed by Michael Bossisse, Bethany Hamlin, Cara McInanny and Jonny Morton, Red becomes a vibrant quest of self-discovery: a teenage girl, angry at the world yet unknowingly supported by it, embarks on an unexpected journey with her siblings. Along the way she learns that ancient myths may hold more truth – and more lessons – than she ever imagined.

The writers, Dave Carey, Ashley Driver and Sebastian Ross, deliver a wholehearted, humorous script that bursts with emotional truth and fills the audience with joy, curiosity, and genuine wonder. This is a grand, communal celebration of what it means to be together, to be different, and to belong.

From the moment the show begins, the stage welcomes us into an inclusive performance world, with main characters and actors interpreting in sign language. What initially appears to be a simple set reveals itself as a transformative marvel: first a train, then a bustling village, then elegant dining halls and winding pathways. Andrew Caddies’ combined set and lighting design is magical – producing images that feel both fairytale and otherworldly. The stage doesn’t just change, it “shape-shifts”.

Emma Gale’s beautifully crafted costumes carry us seamlessly between these worlds. Despite the rapid pace of the show, transitions appear effortless; the costumes seem to breathe with the story, adapting to every shift in tone and place.

In every scene, we witness breathtaking ensemble dance and movement pieces. Everywhere you look, there is another story unfolding, another set of eyes drawing you deeper into the world. How many people can you fit on a stage dancing? At Chickenshed, the answer is always: more. And the more there are, the more astonishing it becomes. Yet above all the spectacle, the most exceptional moment of the production is witnessing the entire ensemble becoming one moving body – a single organism pulsing with unity, purpose and heart. When the ensemble moves, the whole theatre breathes with it.

The production features a fully original score, performed live onstage. Under the musical direction of Dave Carey and Phil Haines, the music becomes the heartbeat of the show – magical, lyrical, and deeply connected to everyday life with multiple genres. Each song fits into the narrative like a perfect piece of Lego, building the world one note at a time.

The cast’s energy is boundless. Every performer, from lead to ensemble, gives everything – hearts open, souls shining, ready to perform not just for the audience at Chickenshed, but for the world.

While it’s impossible to single out only a few, standouts include Grandma (Cara McInanny) with her unhinged, fearless commitment; the Wolf (Michael Bossisse), whose warm and effortless acting brings new layers to the iconic figure; Chester the Butler (Sebastian Ross), who charms with perfect comedic timing; and one of the signers, Mouse O’Hehir, whose quirky, magnetic presence and beautiful movement add a captivating extra dimension.

Red holds you from start to finish. It’s a story about the power of unity, the search for authenticity, and the way we discover ourselves through the support of others. Lush with imagery, bursting with imagination, energy and heart – it’s a must-see show made by many, for many, and about all of “us”.

RED

Chickenshed Theatre

Reviewed on 27th November 2025

by Nasia Ntalla

Photography by Mark Field

Previously reviewed by Nasia:

MAYBE I SHOULD STOP | ★★★★ | DRAYTON ARMS | November 2025

DEATH BELLES | ★★★½ | OLD RED LION THEATRE | October 2025

Red

★★★★★

“For ninety non-stop minutes the audience is taken through a whirlwind of Rothko’s intensity, an emotional roller-coaster”

Almost a decade after its first production at the Donmar Warehouse, Michael Grandage’s production of Red returns to the London stage, this time in the heart of the West End at the Wyndman’s Theatre. The play follows a fictional account of artist Mark Rothko and his newly appointed assistant Ken, between the years 1958 – 59 during the time of a cultural shift within the arts, as the emergence of Pop Art began to slowly push remnants of Expressionism away. One might think that such a story would best suit an audience with a solid foundation of knowledge on 20th century artists, however, the universal themes and overall plot of the play will resonate with anyone with even the remotest interest in the arts.

For ninety non-stop minutes the audience is taken through a whirlwind of Rothko’s intensity, an emotional roller-coaster. The set remains the same throughout, and is accurately based on Rothko’s original studio in New York’s Bowery. Around the studio are various interpretations of Rothko’s paintings, which are moved around by both actors during each transition and placed on the central canvas holder. Each transition, though not always clear, offers a moment for the audience to reflect on the painting in question, almost as if given a quiet moment in a gallery to take in the picture fully.

It is quite remarkable, and a testament to both the actors, Alfred Molina and Alfred Enoch, and director Michael Grandage, that there is never a dull moment in the play despite the fact that most of the action could be seen by some as rather mundane. There is incredible attention to detail with the set, with each part of it serving a purpose throughout the play. In every scene we see the actors using the space as artists would; setting up and priming canvases, mixing paint to name a few. The only one thing the audience never sees either Ken or Rothko do, is actually paint. This immense focus on naturalism, as well as the genius of John Logan’s writing, makes Red an incredibly compelling piece of theatre to watch.

From those who frequent the Tate Modern, to those that have never stepped foot in a gallery before, Red highlights the arguments for the importance of the arts in society today. It may even inspire one to revisit forms of art which one may have before deemed as inaccessible.

Reviewed by Claire Minnitt

Photography by Johan Persson

Tag Archives: Red

RED

★★★★★

Chickenshed Theatre

RED

Chickenshed Theatre

★★★★★

“fills the audience with joy, curiosity, and genuine wonder”