A Very Very Very Dark Matter Tickets

We all know and love the timeless tales of Hans Christian Andersen, but Martin McDonagh’s new play at the Bridge Theatre sheds a little more light on the very, very, very dark secrets behind this world-renowned figure.

This irreverent, dark comedy introduces his muse – the woman behind the man behind the stories. Andersen imprisons his inspirational wordsmith in a tiny wooden box in his attic, with nothing but pen and paper. He plagiarises her work, taking out the gruesome endings and less palatable elements for his adoring fans. In the gloom of a haunting loft space, adorned with ghostly marionettes, sinister stories are told of ghostly pasts and genocidal futures. This gritty play foregrounds the unheard voices in history and scalds those who are commemorated with marble monuments.

You may think it’s all ducklings and mermaids but you will soon come to learn that Hans Christian Andersen has skeletons in the closet.

What to watch for

As a recent graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Johnetta Eula'Mae Ackles makes her professional theatre debut as Marjory/ Ogechi.

Jim Broadbent has previously worked with Martin McDonagh on his play “The Pillowman,” which was at the National Theatre back in 2003.

Martin McDonagh also wrote and directed the award-winning film “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” for which he won a BAFTA for Best Screenplay (Original).