Think you know Cinderella? Then think again as Hull Truck launches its anarchic new take on the famous fairytale this week. Ian Midgley says kids and parents alike will lap it up.
You can always count on Hull Truck to do things a little ... differently. It's now as traditional as turkey with all the trimmings for the Ferensway theatre to sprinkle a little subversion into its festive fare.
Last year, for instance, instead of staging a straight, run-of-the-mill panto, Truck's twisted take on Little Red Riding Hood was to put the Big Bad Wolf on trial – and let the audience decide at the end whether he was guilty or Little Red was a big, fat, liar.
Before that, the seasonal shows at Truck had Santa stuck in a fridge, forced Snow White to deal with an explosive chicken, gave The Hunchback Of Notre Dame the hump and partnered Pinocchio with a rock'n'roll weasel called Elvis.
And the kids and their parents lapped it up like brandy cream on a Christmas pudding.
True to form, this year, the theatre is staging Cinderella, which starts on Friday and runs all the way through to January 10. But just so you don't get blasé that you already know the story like the back of your mittened hand, they'll be telling it from the perspective of the rats; presumably the ones whose immediate futures involve being turned into stallions for Cinders's pumpkin coach.
Written by acclaimed playwright Mike Kenny, whose voluminous credits include the groundbreaking Railway Children, which used a real moving steam engine when it was staged at the National Railway Museum in York, it's a likely blend of comedy, song, slapstick and a fair bit of heartstring tugging, too.
And most importantly, says director Mark Babych, it's a whole heap of fun.
"We're about two weeks into rehearsals now and it's all beginning to fall into place," says Mark, smilling and sitting by a window bay in Truck cavernous foyer.
He's wrapped in a directorly scarf and sipping latte to ward off the plunging temperatures outside, but with ten days to go until curtain-up, he's got a bounce in his step that suggests Truck is on course to deliver another winning winter production.
"It's really been great fun to do," he says. "We've got a great cast of actor-musicians and Mike Kenny has written a brilliant, fast-paced, bouncy version of Cinderella that, although we all think we know the story, takes it, stands it on its head and gives the audience something fresh and exciting."
The director says it's important in these days, when there's so much Yuletide theatrical fare on offer, that Hull Truck keeps its distinctive vibe.
"It's all about keeping our signature style," he says. "About recognising there are other styles and types of theatre out there and giving people something distinctly Hull Truck that you can't get anywhere else.
"It's not a pantomime, but it is the traditional story of Cinderella only presented in a way that's unique to us.
"Hull quietly likes to do things in a different way to everywhere else – that's what makes Hull great and unique – and Hull Truck likes to embrace that."
With six people making up the cast – five musical multi-role-playing rats and one Cinderella – and no separate evening show to make way for – the Christmas production is lending itself to a bigger, brasher, experience this year.
"The whole show is on a bigger scale this year," says Mark.
" There are more visuals, a bigger set, it's more ambitious and the designers have really gone to town, pushing the boundaries of what they can do focusing on just one show."
The larger-scale production is also the perfect place to allow its five ratty protagonists, the aptly-named Whiskers, Tail, Teeth, Ears and Claws, to shine, says the director.
"Our rats are kind of the abandoned, the not-liked, the vermin, the outsiders," he says. With feeling.
"So they've all got a bit of attitude. Rats aren't really known as cuddly, funny creatures, so they've had to put on this front, but actually, when you get to know them, they are really likeable and loveable rascals.
"They've all got their own distinct personalities. There's one that's a bit Gothy, one who's a bit Johnny Depp/Captain Jack Sparrow and they've all got that ratty, rockabilly, Steven Tyler from Aerosmith, sensibility.
"Our rats are all multi-instrument players so they play live as the show goes along; everything from the accordion to fiddle mandolin, banjo and trumpet.
"We had to cast everyone for the show back in June because actor musicians are in such demand – or the good ones are – that they get booked up really quickly.
"It's our version of Take Rat. Ha!" he grins. "Sorry, I couldn't resist," he adds apologetically.
The show is being sold on the promise it will appeal to youngsters who love a traditional princess tale, but who are also spirited enough to prefer the darker edges of Frozen to Snow White.
"The aim is to appeal to the whole family," says Mark.
"Most people come to Cinderella from knowing the Disney movie, but we aimed for that feeling that you get with many of the Pixar films.
"They don't shy away from some of the darker aspects of life and don't mind tugging at your heartstrings, but in the next second they'll be giving you a huge belly laugh.
"They can be a little bit edgy and they can be funny and sad, but they run the whole gamut of emotions and, above all, are terrific entertainment."
• Cinderella is at Hull Truck Theatre from Friday (December 5) to Saturday, January 10. Times vary, with matinee shows available. Tickets cost from £12 to £18. Family ticket £50 to £60. Call (01482) 323638 or visit the Hull Truck Theatre website.