If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise. Namely, a Red Riding Hood retelling where the titular heroine saves herself.
Fairytale fans are invited to Womenspace in Sandgate to hear Red Riding Hood like they’ve never heard it before, told by professional storyteller, Jenni Cargill-Strong.
Speaking to the Sandgate Guide, Jenni said this version of the classic tale was actually the original.
“When you look at the ancient, the original version of Red Riding Hood, she had agency,” Jenni said.
“She got away by herself by being a trickster, and then she was helped by three women, who are symbols of elder women – and elder women are often written off in stories, as witches, or just irrelevant.”
The story was first told by French peasants around the 15th century, and it had various names, including The False Grandmother, or The Path of Needles and Pins. In the earliest versions, a young woman is enticed to perform a striptease by a werewolf disguised as the woman’s grandmother.
Once naked, she awakes from the enchantment and cunningly outwits the werewolf. She is aided in her escape by three laundresses – no rescuing males in sight.
A Fresh Perspective on a Classic Tale
“I love seeing strong female characters with agency,” Jenni said.
“Most people have a really enthusiastic response to this story. There are some gruesome bits, it’s not a child’s story, but then, there were no stories at that time specifically for children.
“Life was grisly and gruesome, and children were not sheltered from that.
“So, yes, it’s a bit gruesome, but it will be all okay. Audiences can expect a happily ever after.”
Jenni added she was excited to be returning to Sandgate and to Womenspace.
“I’ll be telling stories live, from the heart; I don’t read them, and I rework them for a modern audience, and also contextualise it with history,” she said.
“I have performed in Sandgate at Womenspace before, and they are really an amazing bunch of women there. I’ve been really heartened by the response to this show in Brisbane.”
Tickets are $25 or $20 for concession. The show is not suitable for anyone aged under 15.
For more information, or to buy tickets, go to events.humanitix.com/rewilding-red-riding-hood
Rewilding Red Riding Hood: Ancestral Tales of Daring, Difficult Women
- Sunday, 23 August, 4pm-5.30pm
- Womenspace
- 11 Second Avenue, Sandgate
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