Rapunzel – Half Moon Theatre and Touring

Rapunzel was reviewed at the Half Moon Theatre, London. The tour continues until 30 August 2026.

Star rating: 3.5 stars

This feisty, feminist show for young children from Wrongsemble, written and directed by Elvi Piper, is Rapunzel as you’ve never seen it before. The happy ending consists of Rapunzel finding self-determination rather than falling into the Prince’s arms but this accomplished two-hander offers plenty of sparky humour along the way.

Assisted by an effectives track we get the story of Rapunzel as a “jail tail” told by a pair of imprisoned witches who become a framing device.

I saw it alongside a party of children with special needs and their carers, plus two tinies with their mothers, and I’m sure that many of Piper’s witticisms sailed straight over their heads. But I suppose it’s lines such as “hair today and gone tomorrow”, “time waits for no witch” and “all for one and fun for all” which amuse the attendant adults and make this a family show rather than simply a children’s piece. But it’s pushing it to include a Nietzsche quotation.

The best moment in the morning performance I attended came, unrehearsed, at the very beginning when Krushnaa Chousalkar and Rosie Fox danced dramatically down the steps to the stage in their flamboyant witch costumes including hooped shirts, striped pointy hats like mini circus tents and big glasses (designs by Antony Jones). “Wow!” declared the boy behind me loudly in sheer spontaneous excitement – to the delight of everyone in the room.

Even if the finer points eluded them he and the rest of the audience were palpably engaged for the whole of the 45 minutes, especially during the audience participation number ‘Real life hoe down. Keep it on the low down’ which came with a lot of auditorium hand dancing.

These actors are a talented pair who work pleasingly together, sing well and produce an entertaining range of accents. Their physicality – down to every flicker of an eyelid or movement of a finger – is enjoyable. And, both accomplished singers, they nip effortlessly from musical style to style with a heavy emphasis on country.

Chousalkar is particularly fascinating to watch. Her Rapunzel speaks with an Indian accent, her jailed witch speaks with the broadest imaginable Southern States drawl and her Prince Fop – complete with tinsel-edged Stetson and tail comb held up for a moustache – sounds like King Charles.

Not only does she leap in an out of role with total conviction, she can also create buck teeth by moving her mouth and then hold that position as she sings or speaks – clever stuff.

Susan Elkin