Angela Carter's classic tale The Company of Wolves has been adapted by Devon-based theatre company Burn the Curtain into a 'promenade theatre adventure' for runners and walkers.
This weekend a theatre audience will pull on their trainers and head torches for a mysterious night-time hunt through Thetford Forest for a rogue wolf.
This is not the usual getup for a night at the theatre, but this is no ordinary play. Angela Carter's classic tale The Company of Wolves has been adapted by Devon-based theatre company Burn the Curtain into a 'promenade theatre adventure' for runners and walkers.
Carter's collection of stories includes ancient folklore and mythical tales. It has been adapted by Burn the Curtain and playwright Shiona Morton into this unique outdoor theatrical adventure. It also includes elements of the author's stories Wolf-Alice, Peter and the Wolf and The Werewolf.
In a tiny village on the edge of the mountains, a young girl puts on her red shoes and cloak, and heads into the forest alone, watched by unseen eyes. As the shadows lengthen, she begins to run as he hunt begins. The audience either running or walking join to help sniff out those who have been born feet first, to hunt those who are hairy on the inside...
Burn the Curtain artistic director Joe Hancock said that the company had wanted to create 'a very visceral experience of the outdoors', something they have achieved by getting audiences on their feet in groups of runners and walkers.
'Instead of a tiny village on the edge of distant mountains, our Red Riding Hood will walk and run through your local landscape, where wolves may also hide at night!' he adds.
The unique production, which aims to bring theatre closer to nature, has already enjoyed success at other Forestry Commission woodlands and at venues like Longleat.
Audience members at Thetford will be able to choose to be a hunter or a gatherer, fleet of foot or eagle eyed, to pick up the pace, or tread carefully along the forest path.
The route will be 2-3 miles for walkers, and 4-5 miles for runners and the tale will be performed along the way.
To take part in the show, make sure you go prepared for physical activity, either running or walking, with appropriate clothing and good footwear. Some of the action takes place in the dark, so take a torch or head torch if you have one.
• The Company of Wolves is being performed on September 21, 22 and 23 from 7pm. Tickets £18, £15 under-18s (performance is suitable for those aged eight and above when accompanied by an adult). Booking on forestry.gov.uk/highlodge• For more information visit burnthecurtain.co.uk
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