A new Cajun-inspired family musical version of Little Red Riding Hood is to be staged at outdoor theatre The Scoop at More London this summer, from 13 August to 7 September.
Petite Rouge – A Cajun Red Riding Hood, written by Joan Cushing and based on Mike Artell’s children’s book, adds a New Orleans twist to the traditional story. On the way to grandmère’s house, brave Petite Rouge and her cowardly cat TeJean experience both the fun of Mardi Gras and the threat of wily alligator Claude as they travel through the swamps of Louisiana.
Comedy, puppetry, dance and a musical score combining lively jazz with sultry Cajun rhythms add to the deep south flavour of the show.
The musical forms part of the sixth annual season of free outdoor theatre at The Scoop at More London, an open air 1,000-seat amphitheatre on London’s South Bank, next to City Hall. Over the six-week season, around 40,000 are expected to attend performances of theatre company The Steam Industry’s two shows.
In addition to Petite Rouge – A Cajun Red Riding Hood, the second show this season is Spanish playwright Federico Garcia Lorca’s Blood Wedding, adapted by Ted Hughes. Phil Willmott directs both productions.
CB