Type – Adaptation, Contemporary Fairytales
If you liked – Frankenstein, The Grinning Man
GRIMM: a nail-bitingly good show that will have on the edge of your seat with laughter and anticipation.
The award-winning stage company behind Frankenstein, 1984, and Fantastic Mr Fox have smashed it out of the park once again with GRIMM, their latest literary-inspired production. Nelle Lee and Daniel Evans of Shake and Stir theatre Co have breathed new life into the centuries-old fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm, sprinkling in contemporary references while keeping the grittiness of its source material intact.
Rather than adapt all 200 plus fairy tales, the production focuses instead on three interconnecting stories, with the principal cast of four playing multiple roles throughout. Aljin Abella, Helen Cassidy, Nelle Lee, and Henry Rollo bring their raunchy characters to life. Their absurd and hilariously slapstick performances will be sure to trigger rapturous laughter from captive audiences here in Melbourne. With needs, wants, and desires that eventually collide, GRIMM will tug at your heart strings and then rip them out completely.
Lee’s writing is tight and impactful, giving each scene and story-beat its due weight without lingering too long. It’s hard to not compare GRIMM with another pop-culture staple that also takes classic fairytales and flips them on their heads: Shrek. Taking the source material and using it as their own, Lee and Evans have heightened certain aspects of the various folklore characters that appear in the show, even adding new traits as well. Rollo’s Big Bad Wolf is suave and silver tongued, Lee’s gin-swilling Red Riding Hood is head-strong and confident, Abella’s Beast is timedand reserved, and Cassidy’s meek Ashputtel harbours tremendous strength and resolve.
The Grimm’s and their depiction of gender roles, as well as violence against women, children, and others in our society are just as poignant now as they were 200 hundred plus years ago. Rather than shy away from it, Lee and Evans lean into this inexorable of the Grimm Fairytales canon, framing them as cautionary tales fit for any age, era, or country.
Lee well and truly has her work cut out for her. Aswell as writing the show, she lends her ample talents on the Melbourne leg of the productions’ tour, playing Little Red Riding Hood, Beauty, and an endearing fawn, who she herself puppeteers.
Abella demonstrates his range in his roles as Rumpelstiltskin and Beast, bringing physicality to the vastly different characters. While his jester-like Rumpelstiltskin clambers about the stage with tremendous grace and agility, his not-so-beastly Beast hobbles and shuffles in contrast, clinging to his Gandalf-like staff for stability. Tasked with finding the heart of virgin, the Beast’s humanity is tested throughout the play.
Cassidy’s talents as a comedic performer shine, with her portrayal as the Wicked Witch one of the highlights of the show. Her portrayal of Ashputtel is inspiring, proving that we can be our own heroes and saviours.
Playing both of the story’s big bads, Rollo is suave and captivating in both roles. While the Big Bad Wolf chooses to let his villainous nature shine for all to see, his portrayal of the Robber Bridegroom is more subtle, proving that the most dangerous predators are often the ones we don’t see coming.
Everything about the production is superb, from Daniel Evan’s direction to the costuming by Paul McCann and intricate set design by Josh McIntosh. Special shoutout must be given to Trent Suidgeest and Guy Webster, who’s lighting and sound design work in tandem to create an unparalleled theatre-going experience. Thrust into darkness multiple times throughout the 80-minute-long performance, the haunting sound effects and piercing screams that ring out across the intimate Fairfax Studio create a genuine sense of dread in the audience. Not even we are safe from the danger that lurks between the pages of the Grimm Fairytales.
Is GRIMM Worth Seeing in Melbourne?
GRIMM is one of the most imaginative and downright hilarious productions I have had the privilege of watching in my short time as a reviewer. It is a shining example for all adaptations to come. Taking the source material and making it their own, the talented folks over at Shake and Stir have outdone themselves.
Tickets and Practical Info for GRIMM in Melbourne 🎟️
A Shake and Stir Theatre Co production
25 August to 12 September 2026
Tickets: https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2026/theatre/grimm
