The Little Matchgirl and Other Happier Tales

A Bristol Old Vic and
Shakespeare’s Globe co-production

Written and co-adapted by Joel Horwood
Directed and co-adapted by Emma Rice

‘She drew out a match – ‘Scratch!’ How it sputtered as it burnt! It gave a warm, bright light, like a little candle, as she held her freezing hand over it. It was really a wonderful light’

Emma Rice’s “exquisite” (Daily Telegraph) production comes to Malvern following its critically acclaimed premiere at Shakespeare’s Globe.

Struggling to keep warm on the freezing winter streets, our impoverished heroine begins to strike her dwindling stock of matches. Each match she strikes conjures a new story, and while it burns she escapes into an enchanting world of magic and mystery. Inspired by the beautiful Hans Christian Andersen tales, we follow her through the spell-binding stories of The Princess and the Pea, The Emperor’s New Clothes and Thumbelina.

For adults and brave children alike this will be a truly remarkable theatre experience, full of music, laughter, puppetry and magic.

“Theatre to snuggle down into on a frosty night”★★★★ THE GUARDIAN

An exquisite spell of a show…irreverent and funny.” ★★★★ THE TELEGRAPH

A hilarious and heartbreaking collection of fairy tales.” ★★★★ TIME OUT

Recommended age: 8+

RELAXED PERFORMANCE

There will be a relaxed performance of The Little Matchgirl                                            
on Friday 23rd March at 1pm.
Relaxed performances are specifically designed for people who find regular performance settings challenging. We extend a warm welcome to people who feel overwhelmed by the ordinary performance environment. These relaxed performances are open to ANYONE who would benefit from a relaxed, non-judgemental atmosphere including (but not limited to) people living with dementia; people with an Autism Spectrum Condition; people with learning difficulties; people with sensory or communication difficulties; parents with young babies; and anyone who feels they would benefit from a more supportive and inclusive theatre-going experience. Relaxed performance: All seats £10.08 (Carers half price). Book via the Box Office: 01684 892277

Captioned Performance: Wednesday 21st March at 7pm

Schools Matinee Performance: Thursday 22nd March at 1pm

Back Stage Touch Tour: Friday 23rd March at 11:30am

This is an opportunity for blind and partially sighted theatre goers to go on-stage and familiarise themselves with the set, costumes, props and to meet cast members to begin associating voices with characters.

Production photos by Steve Tanner

web Edie Edmundson and Niall Ashdown

web The Little Matchgirl

web Edie Edmundson in The Little Matchgirl

web Elizabeth Westcott in The Little Matchgirl

web Guy Hughes, Karl Queensborough, Kezrena James and Katy Owen in The Little Matchgirl

web Guy Hughes, Kezrena James and Edie Edmundson in The Little Matchgirl

web Karl Queensborough and Guy Hughes in The Little Matchgirl

web Katy Owen in The Little Matchgirl

web The Little Matchgirl2

web The Little Matchgirl3

Ticket price includes a £1 contribution to our heritage fund.