GRIMM TALES

Wonderfully told and engagingly acted, Grimm Tales is one of the more entertaining pop ups we've been to. Don't worry, you're not forced to interact, there's no running away from zombies or solving complex puzzles - just some unusual and quirky tales told in a passionate, theatrically masterful way.

Housed in the immense Bargehouse building at OXO Tower Wharf, the slightly dilapidated interior lends itself perfectly to the stories. The set designers have outdone themselves, each piece carefully chosen to add depth and intrigue to the voyeur. The atmosphere as you enter is electric, you feel that something special is about to take place as the lights in the title letters flicker and you admire the immense arched sculpture of chairs. You're led through doors and up the stairs, passing unusual frames housing distorted images, giving a sense of foreboding as you enter the first room. Nervous laughter and curious looks flew about the room as the actors lurked, awaiting the beginning of the story.

I won't go into too much more detail about what actually happened - I'd rather you experience that for yourselves - but it was clear that a lot of time, effort and love went into every part of this production. The passion of the cast and the attention to detail to each prop and costume made for an enveloping and immersive experience full of wonder and excitement. You'll be reminded of some classic Grimm tales like Hansel & Gretel, as well as being introduced to some of the rarer gems in the vast collection of dark stories throughout the evening, with the action moving from room to room as each tale comes to an end. Halfway through the evening, the action is punctuated with a welcome break at the little bar, serving tasty cocktails and artisan beers for a refresher.

Vivid and witty, the whole production seems plucked from a very dark and brilliant mind. A wonderfully fun evening full of magic that would be perfect for a group of friends, or getting to know someone a little better. Make sure you get down to see it before the end of the run.