Grim and gruesome tales at historic house near Warwick

The Pantaloons Theatre Company is telling audiences to expect plenty of fast-changes, cross-dressing, comedy-wigs and silly-walks in their grimmer - and funnier - than-usual take on German folk stories, the Grimm Fairy Tales, which will be performed at Packwood House in Lapworth on Wednesday August 29.

The Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, created some of the best-loved fairy tales of all time, including Hansel and Gretel, The Frog Prince, Rumplestitskin, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood.

But in this production, Pantaloons spare none of the sometimes-forgotten gruesome details and so audiences get to see the frog prince thrown against a wall, the ugly sisters’ eyes pecked out by a vengeful wishing-bird and witches coming to very grisly ends.

And in this version, Jacob and Wilhelm are joined by Ferdinand, the lesser known third Grimm brother – who doesn’t know how to tell a story – and the Wild sisters who were the Grimms’ neighbours and also the source of many of the tales.

With a cast of just five actors playing more than 100 parts, the show will include puppetry, poetry, parody, music, magic, masks - and even a tale in German (with translators).

The performance starts at 7pm and gates open at 6.30pm. The company will perform in all weather “except a full tempest”.

Tickets cost between £8 and £15. Call 01564 782 024 or go online.