The House With Chicken Legs, a co-production by two acclaimed theatre companies based on a best-selling novel, premiered at Southbank Centre‘s Queen Elizabeth Hall yesterday as part of their Christmas holiday run.
The Olivier-nominated Les Enfants Terribles and HOME Manchester will bring to life this story by Sophie Anderson through live music, intricate puppetry and projection.
The protagonist, Marinka, seeks a normal life where she can stay somewhere long enough to make friends, and her house doesn’t keep running off on chicken legs.
This story is based on Baba Yaga, a witch-like character from a Russian folk tale that lives in a house with chicken legs, rides a mortar and welds a pestle.
Sophie Anderson, the author, said: “I am utterly thrilled that The House with Chicken Legs will be enthralling and enchanting audiences at such a spectacular London venue.
“Les Enfants Terribles are a constellation of talent who have created something incredibly special.
“The show is bursting with breathtaking, heart-swelling, soul-expanding music and magic and will be the perfect treat for everyone to enjoy this festive season.”
The show is funny, thought-provoking and full of life as it deftly navigates the complexities of loss from a whole new perspective.
The show is currently on an Autumn tour and will be running at the Southbank Centre between the 13 and 30 of December.
The production had its world premiere at HOME Manchester in 2022, where it won an Offie Commendation (OffComm) recognising excellence in theatre outside of London.
James Seager, Co-Director of the show and Les Enfants Terribles, said: “After a hugely successful run last year in Manchester and a nationwide tour this year, I am extremely excited to be bringing The House with Chicken Legs to the Southbank Centre this Christmas.
“As a magical piece of theatre I can’t wait to transport audiences to our beautifully gothic musical that is truly suitable for all with laughs, emotion and bucket loads of charm!”
