Created by Theatre of Widdershins

Review by Dominic Corr

The Scottish Storytelling Centre

Theatre of Widdershins’ Snow White Rose Red Bear Brown, performed at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, is a triumph of intimacy, imagination, and enchantment. In a festival bursting with spectacle, this quietly dazzling show reminds us of the elemental power of storytelling—how it can coax out wonder, empathy, and joy with the simplest of tools: a puppet, a voice, and a forest made of dreams.

The performance, led by the gifted Andy Lawrence, is a masterclass in narrative immersion. Lawrence brings a warmth and precision to the stage that instantly draws the audience in. His storytelling is nimble and nuanced, shifting effortlessly between characters and tones, and always with a twinkle of mischief. Whether voicing the kind-hearted sisters, the melancholic bear, or the hilariously rude little man, Lawrence’s delivery is pitch-perfect—inviting children and adults alike into a world that feels both familiar and freshly imagined.

The set is a miniature marvel. Crafted with exquisite detail, it evokes a fairy-tale forest that seems to breathe with life. Trees unfurl, doors open into hidden realms, and every corner hums with possibility. It’s a space that feels handcrafted and magical, where enchantment is built not with grand illusions but with care, texture, and imagination. The design is clean and uncluttered, allowing the story to unfold with clarity and grace.

But it’s the puppetry that truly astonishes, with the gorgeous Dutch/Efteling-aesthetic. Lawrence’s creations are expressive, tactile, and full of character. The bear lumbers with gentle sorrow, the sisters move with a balletic grace, and the rude little man pops up with comic precision. Each puppet is a triumph of design and performance, animated with such skill that they seem to possess their own inner lives. The transitions between scenes are seamless, and the choreography of movement—between puppets, props, and performer—is quietly breathtaking.

What makes Snow White Rose Red Bear Brown so special is its emotional resonance. Beneath the whimsy and humour lies a story about kindness, curiosity, and transformation. The sisters’ journey, from innocence to understanding, is told with tenderness and wit. The bear’s sadness and the mystery of his presence adds a layer of melancholy that deepens the tale without weighing it down. And the rude little man? He’s a delightful reminder that not all magic is polite. And sometimes, it’s better not to have a shave…

This is storytelling at its most refined and elemental. It doesn’t rely on spectacle or gimmickry, but on the deep human need for tales that transport, comfort, and challenge us. In the intimacy of the Netherbow Theatre, surrounded by sawdust, shadows, and laughter, Snow White Rose Red Bear Brown offers a rare kind of enchantment—one that lingers long after the final bow. This is the kind of show that reminds us why stories matter.

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