2020 Fairy Tales - A Preview (Part Two)

(Read Part One Of This Article Here)

As 2020 starts, it's time to look at the culture and entertainment ahead of us in the next 52 weeks, and a lot of this will be from or inspired by classic fairy tales, myths and legends, and children's stories. There are so many interesting things for fairytale fans to enjoy this year that this article is being split into two parts. The first part focused on movies and TV. The second part of this article will focus on theatre, literature and the arts. YA books, musicals and even art exhibitions are among the attractions which will entertain fairy tale fans in 2020…

Art and Literature

All The Stars and Teeth (published February 4^th)

Every year, authors and publishers provide plenty of fantasy epics aimed at the Young Adult audiences. With their grand worlds and distinctive characters, they are incredibly popular with their fandoms, and several go on to become major franchsies. One which could enjoy major success in 2020 is All The Stars and Teeth, by newcomer Adalyn Grace. She began her writing career working in the story team for the epic animated series The Legend of Korra, and the lessons she learned there are in full evidence in All The Stars And Teeth. The novel tells the story of a princess named Amora Montara, who needs to master an especially dangerous form of “soul magic” if she wants to become heir to the throne of her kingdom. When she loses control of this magic, she has to go on an epic sea quest with a pirate in order to prove she is worthy of being a future ruler. Amora has to deal with a variety of obstacles, including a stowaway, scary and vengeful mermaids and a mysterious Dark Magic which is endangering her kingdom.  All The Stars and Teeth is one of the most anticipated YA books of 2020, as it has received endorsements from popular YA fantasy icons like Tomi Adeyemi (the woman behind the Children of Blood and Bone series) and Hafsah Faizal. Grace is apparently starting work on a sequel, and we can expect plenty of epic novels from her in the future. 

Girl, Serpent, Thorn (Published May 12th)

With her 2017 novel Girls of Snow and Glass, Melissa Bashardoust put an eerie and imaginative feminist spin on Snow White, which gained considerable attention from fairytale and YA fans. Second novels are always a challenge, but Bashardoust is using her second novel, Girl, Serpent, Thorn, to cement her position as a major new talent. The story is set in a Persian-inspired Kingdom, and concerns a princess named Soraya. Since birth, Soraya has been afflicted by a curse which renders her poisionous to the touch. As a result, she has been unable to leave her palace, but when her twin brother gets married, Soraya finds the lack of freedom unbearable, and seeks out a demon who could allow her to venture into the wider world. Needless to say, this decision generates a variety of problems for Soraya, who soon finds herself wrestling with the destructive consequences of her powers. The premise has echoes of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story Rappaccini's Daughter and the Indian myths which inspired it, but promises to provide something original by telling the story from the perspective of the female lead, and making her attempts at coming to terms with the curse into the focal point of the story. It seems like Girl, Serpent, Thorn will further demonstrate that Bashardoust is one of the biggest  rising stars in the YA genre. 

Ray Harryhausen: Titan of Cinema (Runs May 23rd – October 25th)

Ray Harryhausen was the special effects guru who worked on a variety of epic fantasy and adventure films between the late 1940s and early 1980s. He specialised in stop motion animation, using it to create a variety of memorable monsters in blockbusters like Jason & The Argonauts, The Adventures of Sinbad and Clash of the Titans. Harryhausen became a formidable influence on all the filmmakers who watched his movies as children, including Tim Burton, Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson. In order to mark 100 years since his birth, the National Galleries Scotland will be holding a retrospective of his work. The exhibition in Edinburgh's Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art will be dominated by Harryhausen’s creations, with impressive work from conservation teams keeping these rubber models in good condition decades after their creation. Harryhausen’s drawings and artwork will also be showcased prominently, demonstrating the extent of his talent and vision. In addition, Harryhausen’s collection of books and tools will be showcased, revealing the amount of research and effort which went into creating his creatures. The  National Galleries Scotland also promise to provide insights into Harryhausen’s life and the artists who inspired his unique approach. The artistic skills of special effects experts are often overlooked, so the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art exhibition makes a valuable case for recognising the creatives who bring fantasy worlds and characters to life on the big screen. 


Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser (Runs June 27th – January 10th 2021)

In recent years, London's prestigious V&A Museum have provided exhibitions on major topics ranging from ranging from Opera and Winnie the Pooh to David Bowie and video games, but their examination of Alice In Wonderland promises to provide audiences with an entirely new and unique experience. Veteran stage designer Tom Piper is designing the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition, taking advantage of the underground exhibition space to really give audiences a trip down the rabbit hole into an exciting and mysterious immersive world. The exhibition will contain an incredible 300 items, showing how Lewis Caroll created Alice In Wonderland and exploring its impact on films, theatre, art and other aspects of popular culture. With illustrations for the original tale and costumes from theatrical versions sitting alongside paintings by the likes of Salvador Dali and Peter Blake, it promises to provide a fascinating insight into how Alice In Wonderland has inspired artists and creatives over the decades.

Cinderella Liberator & 3 New Fairytale Books (published in the UK in October) 

Last year, the feminist commentator Rebecca Solnit moved into children’s fiction with her feminist fairytale Cinderella Liberator. She created a modern update of the age-old Cinderella story, maintaining the theme of a girl escaping her miserable existence, but updating it for an audience sick and tired of traditional romantic clichés. The story starts in the traditional way, with Cinderella going to the ball and losing her glass slipper, but instead of becoming a princess, Cinderella does something different and far more impressive with her life. Solnit honours the roots of her story by illustrating it with silhouettes created by the legendary fairy tale illustrator Arthur Rackham. This combination of old and new has unsurprisingly proved popular with fairy tale fans, so Cinderella Liberator is being published all over the world. However, to mark its arrival in Britain, publishers Vintage Books are providing a truly special treat. In addition to handling the UK publication of Cinderella Liberator, Vintage Books are publishing three more feminist spins on classic fairy tales, each written by an acclaimed British author. Kamila Shamsie is providing her own spin on The Ugly Duckling, and Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit author Jeanette Winterson is adapting Hansel & Gretel Most excitingly, Noughts & Crosses author Malorie Blackman, one of Britain’s best-loved writers, is creating a new take on Bluebeard. All three of these fairy tales are perfectly suited to feminist reinterpretations, and Shamsie, Winterson, and Blackman will all bring something unique and interesting to the table. Instead of providing one modern fairytale, Vintage Books will be providing four, and Cinderella Liberator and the three (currently unnamed) new books will really liven up autumn for British fairy tale fans. 

Theatre

Formulae and Fairy Tales American Tour (performances begin February 5th)

Established in 2007, Invertigo Dance Company have become one of America’s most interesting dance companies, with their creative approach and focus on making dance accessible and modern. Their fascinating new production, Formulae and Fairy Tales, is going on tour in 2020 after an acclaimed world premiere in LA last year. The first performances of the tour will be at the Phillips Center in the University of Florida Performing Arts, and more will be announced soon. Formulae and Fairy Tales is based on the tragic story of the legendary code breaker Alan Turing, who was gay at a time when homosexuality was illegal. After being imprisoned and forced into chemical castration, he committed with a poison apple, a method of death which fairy tale fans will instantly recognise from Snow White. The question of why a man whose life was based on codes and numbers would be so obsessed with the Snow White story is at the centre of this production, which highlights the contrast between Turing’s technical world and the fantastical, sinister world of fairy tales. Director Laura Karllin makes innovative use of projections to represent the AI and computer technology which Turing pioneered, and highlights the power of symbols in both technology and stories, with the forbidden apple unsurprisingly taking centre stage. Formulae and Fairy Tales represents proof that American ballet can tackle big ideas and topics in creative and original ways, and we can expect it to gain further accolades throughout 2020 – it wouldn’t be a surprise if the ballet also makes it beyond America…

The Prince of Egypt in the West End (Runs February 5th - September 12th)

Released in 1998, The Prince of Egypt is one of the finest Dreamwork's animated films. A take on the legendary Biblical story of Moses, it highlighted the epic nature of the story whilst developing the individuals who are at the centre of the events. With incredible images, fully formed characters and a strong soundtrack (including the Oscar-winning “When You Believe”), it proved that Disney were not the only studio who could create great animated musicals. Given the success of Disney’s theatrical musicals, it is not a surprise that Dreamworks are trying to break into the same market, and The Prince of Egypt is their second stage production after Shrek: The Musical. The Prince of Egypt shows how Moses, a Jewish child raised in the Pharaoh’s palace, must go up against his adoptive brother Rameses in order to rescue the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. The musical premiered in California in 2017, and has enjoyed two productions at Denmark, but the London production (taking place at the massive Dominion Theatre) will be the biggest outing yet for the musical. There will be new sets and costumes, and iconic composer Stephen Schwartz (Pippin, Wicked, The Hunchback of Notre Dame) has added ten extra songs, including one for Moses called “Footprints in the Sand”, which is making its debut in this production. The Prince of Egypt is only having a limited 32-week run, so fans need to book tickets quickly if they want to see it in London. However, if it does well, we can expect further major productions all over the world, plus touring and amateur licensing, which could make The Prince of Egypt into a major money-spinner for Dreamworks…

A Monster Calls and The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe tour the UK (At various UK theatres throughout 2020)

With her acclaimed versions of stories like Jane Eyre and Peter Pan, Sally Cookson established herself as an expert in adapting classic literature and children’s stories for British theatre, and her status has grown even more in recent years. In 2018, her adaptation of Patrick Ness’ heartbreaking novel A Monster Calls premiered at the Old Vic, receiving critical acclaim and winning an Olivier Award. Cookson applied a minimalistic and imaginative approach to the tearjerking story of a troubled boy visited by a mysterious monster, and it will be great to see her production gain a second life. The tour starts at Chichester's Festival Theatre on February 6th, and will take the production across the UK, concluding on June 13th at the Theatre Royal Plymouth. Cookson is famous for her collaborative approach, so we can expect the new cast and crew to edit the production whilst also staying true to the powerful messages about how stories help us deal with grief, fear, and the uncertainties and contradictions of life. A Monster Calls won’t be the only Sally Cookson play travelling through Britain in 2020. In November, her adaption of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (currently playing at the Bridge Theatre in London) will also begin a four-month tour at Aylsebury's Waterside Theatre on November 20th, with a high-profile stop in Manchester's Lowry Theatre across the Christmas period. Both tours will provide plenty of entertainment for theatregoers whilst we wait for Cookson’s next innovative productions.

Once Upon A One More Time premieres in Chicago (Runs April 14th – May 17th)

Once Upon A One More Time is a jukebox musical dedicated to millennial guilty pleasure Britney Spears, using the songs of the pop princess to tell a unique story about fairy tale Princesses. It centres on a group of classic fairy tale princesses (Snow White, Cinderella, etc) who are becoming fed up with their lives and a book club where they are only able to read Brothers Grimm fairytales. However, when a fairy godmother introduces our heroines to the classic feminist text The Feminine Mystique, our leads are inspired to shake up their conventional fairytale world. The musical is premiering in April at Chicago’s Nederlander Theatre, which has often hosted trial runs for future Broadway productions. It was meant to premiere there in October 2019 but was delayed for unknown reasons. A possible factor may be the recent opening of the similar West End musical & Juliet, which pays tribute to Britney's regular songwriter/producer Max Martin and features five of her biggest hits on the soundtrack. However, Once Upon A One More Time will probably do something different with the likes of 'Baby One More Time' and 'Stronger' and will also feature eighteen other Britney anthems, ranging from hits such as 'Toxic', 'Lucky' and 'Sometimes' to more obscure songs. Ultimately, this musical will be judged on its own terms, separate from its rival across the Atlantic, although it should successfully tap into the same demand for trashy and colourful, yet strongly progressive, escapism. Once Upon A One More Time does well in its Chicago run, it could make it to Broadway, and provide some feminist fairytale fun for Britney’s fanbase.

Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella has its UK premiere (Runs May 9th – June 6th)

In 1957, a take on Cinderella from the legendary Broadway songwriters Rogers & Hammerstein’s premiered on TV. With a young Julie Andrews in the lead role, and wonderfully romantic songs such as “Ten Minutes Ago”, it proved a major hit, and has been adapted for stage and TV several times since - one notable 1997 TV adaptation featuring Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother. The musical was reworked for Broadway in 2013, with Douglas Carter Beane incorporating other Rogers & Hammerstein songs (such as “The Time is Now”), and appealing to modern progressive values by adding a subplot where Cinderella inspires her Prince to bring democracy to their kingdom. This new version received eight Tony Nominations (winning an award for Best Costume Design) and ran on Broadway for almost two years. Last year, a semi-staged version was performed at West London's Cadogan Hall, with Christine Allado, Diane Pilkington and Jac Yarrow in the leading roles. As a result of this increased publicity, the 2013 version of Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella is finally making its full stage debut in May, as it will be performed for four weeks at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre, which has become one of Manchester’s most notable independent theatres since it opened in 2015. It's unlikely that any big names will appear in this smaller production, but it will certainly increase the popularity of this musical with UK audiences, and open the door for further adaptations in the future.

What Else Can We Look Forward To?

There are plenty of fairy tale films, TV shows and other that we will learn more about later in the year. Disney’s new streaming service, Disney Plus will provide more fairy tale adventures for Disney fans, including Secret Society of Second Born Royals, which could be fun if it acknowledges the ludicrous nature of its premise (What if the second born children of royals had superpowers?) Other channels are also providing their own spins on the fairy tale genre. Adult Swim, the channel behind anarchic, provocative adult animations such as Rick and Morty and Robot Chicken, are applying their signature approach to fairy tales in a new animated series created by J.J. Villard. Fairy Tales promises to provide plenty of “gross weirdness”, whilst also retaining the “charm and cuteness” of the original fairy tales – can it do both? Meanwhile, British theatres are beginning to announce their plays and pantos for Christmas 2020. Things are still subject to change, but the Lyric Hammersmith will be retelling Aladdin, New Wimbledon Theatre will be adapting Dick Whittington, and Theatre Stratford East will be providing a less conventional choice with a Little Red Riding Hood panto. There are also plenty of treats for fairytale fans outside of the UK and US. In February, Sweden’s Millesgarden museum will open an exhibition about artist Gustaf Tenggren and his work with Disney. Finally, it is necessary to mention Tell A Fairy Tale Day on 26th February, where we are all able to create our own fairy tales and share them with the world. Overall, 2020 promises to be an excellent year for fans of fairy tales, with plenty to inspire and excite them.

2020 Fairy Tales - A Preview (Part One)

As 2020 starts, it's time to look at the culture and entertainment ahead of us in the next 52 weeks, and a lot of this will be adapted from or inspired by classic fairy tales, myths and legends, and children's stories. There are so many interesting things for fairytale fans to enjoy this year that this article is being split into two parts. The first part will feature Disney's biggest 2020 projects, and several films and TV shows from rival studios. The second part of this article will focus on theatre, literature and the arts.

Disney

Rapunzels Tangled Adventure/Tangled:The Series concludes (Sundays from January 12th-March 1st)

Since it premiered in March 2017, Rapunzels Tangled Adventure (Formerly known as Tangled: The Series) - the followup to Disney's 2010 smash Tangled - has established itself as one of the most interesting TV spinoffs of a Disney film. The show has expanded the world of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider Eugene Fitzherbert, giving them several new friends and enemies and a variety of exciting and unusual adventures. Though its additions to the Tangled universe have sometimes been hit and miss, Rapunzels Tangled Adventure has generally been a real treat for Tangled fans. The animation is brilliant, there are plenty of interesting and mature themes, and Alan Menken and Glenn Slater's songs are often superior to the ones featured in the original film. Despite gaining substantial online popularity, Rapunzels Tangled Adventure has often been treated terribly by the Disney Channel, who needlesssly changed the name of the show, put it on long hiatuses several times, and made various schedule changes which often left it stuck in inhospitable time slots.  Rapunzels Tangled Adventure is now nearing the end of its three-season run, with Rapunzel investigating the mysterious black rocks and trying to stop her former friend Cassandra from using the power of the moonstone to devastate the kingdom of Corona. The last set of episodes begin airing in January, resolving the grand arc whilst providing plenty of comedic adventures to lighten the tone. The show will conclude on March 1st with a three-part episode called "Plus Est En Vous" (French for "There's More In You", - a phrase featured in Rapunzel's diaries) and it will hopefully allow Rapunzels Tangled Adventure to gain the incredible finish it deserves.

Onward (Released March 6th) 

A major reason for Pixar’s rise to fame in the late 1990s was their decision to create a unique formula entirely separate from the Disney musicals of the era and their many imitators. Even with the lines between the two studios blurring later on in the Lasseter era, this distinction has generally been maintained, but Pixar dipped their toes into Disney-style classic fantasy with their 2012 film Brave, and Onward represents a far different take on the same subgenre. It is set in an alternate universe where mythical creatures live a mundane suburban life like our own, with unicorns prowling through gardens like foxes, and centaurs and fauns working in the police force. A pair of teenage elf brothers (voiced by the ever-popular Chris Pratt and Tom Holland) are given a magical staff which belonged to their father and contains some of the last magic in the world. They attempt to bring their deceased father back for one last day, but are only able to resurrect his bottom half, and have to go on a quest to find a way of restoring their father for real. The trailers have promised a wacky and comedic tone, but also given hinted that the film will do justice to the poignancy inherent in the premise. The first of two original Pixar films coming out in 2020, Onward promises to cement Pixar’s new direction under Pete Docter, maintaining the humour, heart and creativity of classic Pixar films whilst ensuring that there are enough changes to keep the studio feeling fresh and exciting.

Mulan (Released March 27th) 

Last year, Disney's live-action division broke records as their focus on remaking classic Disney animations resulted in billion-dollar grosses for their takes on Aladdin and The Lion King. However, the excessively faithful approach of these films annoyed many fans and critics, so Disney’s remake of their 1998 animated hit Mulan will represent a change in approach. Director Nikki Caro and screenwriters Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver are creating a remake which will adopt a new tone and style whilst sticking to the same basic outline. Liu Yifei will play the titular heroine, who disguises herself as a man in order to fight in the Chinese army. The new version of Mulan is primarily targeted at Chinese audiences, so is making a variety of alterations which will make it closer to Chinese Martial Arts epics than traditional Disney musicals. Wisecracking sidekick Mushu has been replaced by a mute Phoenix, the villain will be working with a sinister shapeshifting witch (played by the prolific Gong Li) and there will be a lot less singing. A group of hardcore fans have been dismayed by these changes, and Caro will need to find ways of satisfying them without compromising her vision. There have also been concerns about how the project legitimises the authoritarian Chinese government (Not helped by Yifei's support of the Chinese-backed authorities in the Hong Kong riots). However, the trailers have generally been very well-received, and Mulan’s new approach could allow it to dodge comparisons with the original film. With many of Disney’s biggest hits already adapted by the live-action division, they will need to adopt a new and more innovative approach, and Mulan could lead the way in this regard.

Frozen arrives in the West End (Performances begin October 2020)

With Frozen 2 emulating the success of the first film and generally reviving interest in Anna and Elsa's world, it's a pretty good time to bring the 2018 Broadway adaptation of the original Frozen to the West End. Princess Anna's epic journey to find her older sister Elsa has been expanded into a 2 hour-plus spectacular for the stage, and this production will be reopening London’s massive Theatre Royal Drury Lane after 18 months of renovations. The inescapable songs from the original (including "Let It Go" and "Do You Want to Build A Snowman?") are joined by several new numbers including "Monster" and "What Do You Know About Love?". However, despite the popularity of the Frozen franchaise, this production still has a lot to prove. Whilst it has earned more than enough money to justify its international rollout, it hasn't emulated the success of The Lion King and did badly at the Tony Awards, only receiving three nominations in a very weak year. The new touring version of Frozen premiered in LA last month and made improvements (including brighter lighting and more colourful set designs) which will hopefully be incorporated into the West End version. Director Michael Grandage has promised that the Brits will get their own “bespoke” version, and has acquired an impressively big name to play Elsa, with Les Miserables fan favourite Samantha Barks headlining the cast as the powerful but vulnerable Ice Queen (We will find out who will play Anna in a few weeks, with the rest of the actors being announced later in the year). Grandage has been a West End icon since the late 1990s, so he will hopefully be putting extra effort into giving his home territory a truly special production of Frozen.

Raya and the Last Dragon (Released November 25th)

After two messy but enjoyable sequels in the form of Ralph Breaks the Internet and Frozen 2, Raya and the Last Dragon will be Disney Animation's first original animated movie in four years. Anticipation has been high since it was formally unveiled at the D23 Expo 2019, as it will pay tribute to the culture of East Asian nations such as Vietnam and the Philippines. The film has been written by Crazy Rich Asians screenwriter Adele Lim, who is working with a team of Disney veterans, including storyboard artist and animator Paul Briggs (making his directorial debut) and Moana producer Osnat Shurer. The film is set in a fantasy realm called Kumandra, and centres on a girl searching for a mysterious dragon who has taken on human form, The titular heroine Raya is voiced by half-Filipino, half-Canadian actress Cassie Steele, whilst Crazy Rich Asians breakout star Awkwafina will be voicing Sisu the dragon, who may be able to protect Raya and her kingdom from a mysterious dark force. Raya and the Last Dragon seems like it will be providing an East Asian spin on the formula established by Moana and Frozen 2, but with enough changes to provide it with its own identity. There seem to be no songs, and the tone seems to be inspired by Asian fantasy epics as much as fairy tale classics. If Raya and The Last Dragon sticks to its vision, it could allow Disney Animation’s recent revival to continue into the new decade.

Non-Disney films and TV

Gretel and Hansel (Released 31st January) 

Oz Perkins - The son of horror icon Anthony Perkins (famed for his role in the Hitchcock horror classic Psycho) - has made his name by writing and directing eerie gothic horrors such as The Blackcoats Daughter and I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives In the House, and this take on the age-old story of Hansel and Gretel is his biggest project yet. Whilst other adult-orientated variations on the Brothers Grimm classic have often been lurid and trashy (such as 2013's Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters), Gretel and Hansel promises a more restrained approach, whilst remaining scary and sinister. The creepiness implicit in the Brothers Grimm source material is brought to the forefront, with sinister houses, trees covered with children’s shoes, and a gross moment where the Witch pulls a long thread of hair out of her mouth. As the switching of names in the title implies, Gretel’s status as a strong and fearless female lead will also be emphasised, as she is now a teenager looking after her much younger brother – IT star Sophia Lillis will play Gretel, and her performance could mark her out as an actress to watch in the future. January releases are generally not known for their high quality, but Oz Perkins’ distinctive vision could make Gretel and Hansel into a pleasingly creepy standout.

Come Away and Wendy (Screening at the Sundance Film Festival 24th January-2nd Febuary)

The Sundance Film Festival is one of the first major events of the cinematic year, as a variety of independent films make their big screen debuts. This year, audiences will be treated to two unique takes on Peter Pan. One of the biggest films at the festival this year is Come Away, the live-action debut of animation icon Brenda Chapman, who has worked on films ranging from The Lion King to The Prince of Egypt. Come Away is about two children, Alice and Peter (played by Keira Chansa and Jordan Nash), who end up in a fantasy world as they try to deal with a death in the family and find themselves having to choose whether to stay in the real world or go into their imaginary landscape. A prequel to both Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan, Come Away will explore the classic worlds these two protagonists will go on to inhabit, and the way they impact on their bond. Chapman has gathered a top-notch cast, with Angelina Jolie and David Oyelowo playing the parents, and Michael Caine, Derek Jacobi and Clarke Peters also featuring prominently. Chapman’s first film after being controversially fired from Pixar’s Brave, Come Away could allow Chapman to fully showcase her ability at creating fairytale magic.

In contrast, Wendy is a much smaller production, but one which embodies the Sundance spirit perfectly. It is directed by Benh Zeitlin, whose drama Beasts of the Southern Wild was one of the breakthrough films at the 2012 Sundance Festival. Here, Wendy is a girl from modern America, who lives with her family in a diner. The unusual Peter takes Wendy and her brothers to a Neverland suspended in time by a mysterious pollen, but a series of threats to this world means that Wendy needs to take responsibility and save all the children on the island.  Zetlin announced the project in 2013, just after Beasts of the Southern Wild became an unlikely Oscars contender, but it has taken over six years to bring his idea to life  The winning formula of Beasts of the Southern Wild is being maintained for Wendy, with a cast of newcomers (including Devin France as Wendy and Yashua Mack as Peter) a mysterious and oddly magical tone, and a depiction of a wonderful but endangered natural world. Amusingly, Wendy has been produced by the Disney-owned Fox Searchlight, but it could not be more different from the action-packed approach of Disney blockbusters, making it a great alternative to more mainstream fairytales. Come Away does not have a confirmed release date, but it should come out at some point later in the year. Meanwhile, Wendy will be released in America on 28th Febuary. We can expect both productions to entertain and enchant fairytale fans all over the world during 2020.

The Secret Garden (Released 17th April in UK) 

Since it was first published in 1911, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel The Secret Garden has become a staple for many children, Over a century after the first known film adaptation, audiences are getting a new version which will introduce a new generation to this story. The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary, a girl who is sent from India to live in the house where her late aunt lived. Mary initially hates life in Misselthwaite Manor but meeting two other children and discovering an incredible hidden garden allows her to change the lives of the people around her, and become a better person herself. Dixie Egerickx will play Mary, Colin Firth (who had an early role in the 1987 Hallmark version of this tale) plays guardian Archibald Craven, whilst Julie Walters is the authoritarian housekeeper Mrs. Medlock. Screenwriter Jack Thorne was recently behind the TV adaptation of His Dark Materials, so he knows a thing or two about adapting classic children’s stories. This new version has two big changes. Firstly, it will be set in 1947, meaning that the partition of India and the aftermath of World War Two will be major influences on the lives of our characters. Second, it will take advantage of the rise of CGI to bring the titular Garden to life in a new and impressive way. This will not be the only version of The Secret Garden in the UK this Spring. A semi-staged concert version of the 1991 stage musical adaptation will be staged at the London Palladium on April 4th, with Ramin Karmaloo, Lucie Jones and Jac Yarrow amongst the performers. Both the film and the concert will succeed in demonstrating the continued appeal of the timeless source material.

Cursed (released in 2019)

Since Wicked premiered on Broadway, writers have got mileage out of classic fairy tales and legends by shifting their focus to the supporting cast, The Netflix series Cursed promises to refresh the tale of King Arthur by explaining the origins of the mysterious Lady of the Lake. Cursed is based on a recent novel of the same name created by an unlikely writing team: Thomas Wheeler, a screenwriter and producer who has worked on animated films such as Puss in Boots and The Lego Ninjango Movie, and Frank Miller, the legendary illustrator behind violent and gritty graphic novels such as 300, The Dark Knight Returns and Sin City. Both are executive producers on the Netflix adaptation, working with Silenn Thomas and Zetna Fuentes. Cursed tells the story of Nimue, a girl with mysterious powers who ends up in control of a mysterious sword after her family is murdered. She teams up with a mercenary named Arthur to return the sword to Merlin whilst fighting the soldiers responsible for the crime and the tyrannical ruler who enabled them. The cast will be headed by Katherine Longford, who came to prominence in the controversial Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, and she will be joined by rising star Devon Terrell as Arthur. Adaptations of Arthurian legends have flopped in recent years, but Cursed’s more epic approach and contemporary themes (about respecting nature and resisting tyranny) mean it could gain wider appeal. Netflix have recently put a lot of effort into fantasy series in recent years and Cursed could be an interesting companion to the likes of Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance and The Witcher, whilst successfully winning over a different audience.

The Witches (Released October 9th)

Probably the most iconic children's author of the late 20th century, Roald Dahl provided unique stories which drew on classic fairytale tropes and combined the wondrous and the sinister. The influence of Norwegian mythology on his work was most evident in The Witches, one of his scariest stories. This Whitbread prize-winning tale of a boy who tries to stop the titular villains turning children into mice was adapted into a cult favourite film in 1990, but this new version promises to take a different direction. Although it will be closer to the source material than the earlier movie (Dahl famously hated the happier ending) it is relocating the action to 1960s Alabama, which should provide the opportunities to bring the fight for fight for Civil Rights into the story. Newcomer Jahzir Bruno will play the unnamed protagonist, with Octavia Spencer as his supportive, witch-hunting grandma. However, the main draw is Anne Hathaway, playing the monstrous Grand High Witch. The film is being produced by Guilermo Del Toro, king of adult fairy tale films, and Alfonso Cuaron, who came to prominence after successfully adapting A Little Princess and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Due to their busy schedules, they have given the directorial reins to Robert Zemeckis, (Although Del Toro had a hand in creating the screenplay). Although his status has waned over the last couple of decades, Zemeckis has directed some truly brilliant films in the past (Romancing the Stone, Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Forrest Gump), and hopefully The Witches will be a deliciously creepy return to form for him.

Part Two is coming soon!

2019 Fairy Tales - A Preview

As 2019 starts, it is time to look forward to the events and stories which will define the coming year. Fairytale fans will have a lot of interesting things to look forward to across 2019, and this article will highlight 20 of these. The list includes books, films, TV series, video games and even streaming services. Some of the things listed here are big Disney blockbusters, whilst others are smaller, more unusual projects. However, all of these have the potential to inspire and entertain an incredibly large audience over the next 52 weeks and beyond...

(Note: In order to simplify things, this article focuses primarily on British and American releases. Despite this, there will be numerous great fairytale projects created and released all over the world this year. I look forward to discussing them in future articles.)

2019 Fairy Tales - A Preview

Kingdom Hearts III (Released Jan 25th)

Although Kingdom Hearts III is one of the first major videogame releases of 2019, it is almost certainly one of the most significant of the year. First started in 2002, the Kingdom Hearts series is an unusual collaboration between Disney and the Japanese video game icons Square Enix (best known for creating the Final Fantasy games). Unsurprisingly, it has become one of the biggest videogame franchises in the world. The story of Kingdom Hearts concerns a hero called Sora, who teams up with Donald Duck and Goofy on an epic quest which takes them into the worlds of numerous classic Disney films. Although this is listed as the second direct sequel in the Kingdom Hearts canon, it is actually the twelfth game in the series, due to the numerous spin offs, midquels and prequels which have been released over the years. Although the mythology has become incredibly convoluted, the core premise remains as appealing as ever - we have all wanted to visit the worlds of various Disney films and interact with our favourite characters. As the first direct sequel since 2006, Kingdom Hearts III is taking advantage of the developments which have occurred at Disney Animation over the last twelve years. The merger between Disney and Pixar has allowed characters from Toy Story and Monsters Inc to join the Kingdom Hearts universe, and the success of Tangled and Frozen means that our protagonists will get to visit Arrendelle and Corona and interact with the likes of Rapunzel and Queen Elsa. The graphics are more sophisticated, and there are more special powers to keep us at our controllers, but the appeal of Kingdom Hearts will always lie in the epic and unlimited adventures it offers for Disney fans. 

The Kid Who Would be King (Released Jan 25th in USA, February 15th in the UK)

Eight years after his well-received directorial debut Attack the Block (which introduced audiences to Jon Boyega and Jodie Whittaker) comedy screenwriter Joe Cornish will provide another story about youths in a dull London suburb getting caught up in an incredible fantasy adventure. Whilst Attack the Block was about an alien invasion, The Kid Who Would Be King applies Cornish's formula to Arthurian legend. Andy Serkis's son Louis Ashbourne Serkis plays a kid who discovers King Arthur's sword in a building site and becomes leader of the fight against the dark wizard Morgana. Cinematic takes on King Arthur have rarely been critical or commercial hits, but The Kid Who Would Be King seems like an entertaining update of the classic English hero. The familiar elements of King Arthur's story are present, but there are plenty of modern day touches (For instance, Merlin disguises himself as a gangly teenager) and a lot of humour based on the idea of ordinary schoolchildren following in the footsteps of classic fantasy heroes. Originally intended to be released last summer, The Kid Who Would be King has been moved to the end of January (rarely a good sign) but hopefully it will be worth the wait. 

Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Released March 5th)

Of all the YA books released in 2018, none reflected the zeitgeist of the year as well as Tomi Adeyemi's debut novel, Children of Blood and Bone, which combined African folklore, classic YA tropes, and a strong message about fighting racism. Set in the fictitious African kingdom of Oshira, it told the story of the story of a girl called Zelie who has to team up with princess Amari to fight a tyrannical King and restore the magical powers which were stolen from her tribe. The hype surrounding the novel was immense (rights for a movie adaptation were brought before it was even published) but it resoundingly lived up to expectations, receiving widespread critical acclaim and consistently appearing on the New York Times Bestsellers list throughout 2018 . In the light of this success, it is no surprise to learn that a sequel, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, is being released in March. Picking up where the first story left off, it sees Zelie and Amari trying to avert a civil war when their enemies take advantage of the magic restored to Oshira. Children of Virtue and Vengeance is going to be the second in a trilogy, and it looks like it will provide further for development for Zelie, Amari and their world whilst laying the groundwork for an epic finale. 

American Gods - Season 2 (Starts March 10th)

It is a great time to be a Neil Gaiman fan, with radio adaptations of his work becoming a Christmas staple in the UK, and a TV adaptation of his fantasy epic Good Omens arriving in 2019. However, fans of mythology will be most interested in the second season of American Gods, the cult favourite cable series based on Gaiman's 2001 novel of the same name. The first season aired on the cable channel Starz in 2017,  fascinating critics and audiences with its depiction of the battle between classic mythological gods and the "New Gods" who embody the key aspects of modern technology and media. The two year wait for a second season has not been an easy one. Show runners Bryan Fuller and Michael Green were controversially fired after the first season ended, and their replacement Jesse Alexander had his powers taken away, leaving the series without a proper show runner. Throughout this chaos, there were numerous rewrites and reshoots, and stars Gillian Anderson and Krstin Chentworth both dropped out. However, the second season is ready to air, promising to retain the psychedelic tone of the first season whilst moving closer to Gaiman's source material. Epic TV shows such as this are often plagued by "second season syndrome", as the struggle to follow up an impressive first season leads to an inferior second one. Hopefully, American Gods will avoid this and cement its reputation as one of the most interesting and unique American series of recent years. 

Sherwood (Released March 19th)

Like King Arthur, Robin Hood is another iconic English hero who has lost credibility due to numerous mediocre-to-bad adaptations of his story, including the critically panned Robin Hood, which was one of the biggest flops of 2018. For her new novel Sherwood, Meagan Spooner aims to freshen things up by shifting the focus to Robin's love interest Maid Marian. When Robin Hood dies whilst fighting in the Holy Land, Maid Marian is left alone and desperate in a miserable and impoverished Nottingham. With Robin's enemies, the Sheriff of Nottingham and Guy of Gisborne, being as wicked as ever, Marian takes matters into her own hands. She finds her husband's cloak and weapons, and replaces him as the saviour of the poor and downtrodden. With her growing line up of sci-fi and fantasy books (including the Beauty and the Beast- inspired Hunted), Meagan Spooner is becoming a rising star in the Young Adult genre, and Sherwood seems like it will be another hit with the teenage (and predominantly female) audiences who have made YA into such a profitable part of the literary industry. 

Hadestown arrives on Broadway (Previews begin 22nd March, Opening Night 17th April)

Beginning life as a concept album created by the singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell, Hadestown has become a cult favourite amongst musical fans in recent years. It had a long journey to Broadway (including acclaimed productions at New York Theatre Workshop, Toronto's Citadel Theatre and London's National Theatre) which is finally culminating in its arrival at the prestigious Walter Kerr Theatre, which recently hosted the record-breaking Springsteen on Broadway. Hadestown updates the Greek myth of Orpheus for the modern era, with Eurydice forced to go to Hadestown in search of work, and Orpheus embarking on a doomed quest to get her back. The soundtrack is based on Depression-era folk and jazz music and the story deals with numerous social and environmental issues. We don't yet have confirmation that the National Theatre cast (with Reeve Carney and Eva Noblezada as Orpheus and Eurydice, and Broadway icons Andre de Shields and Patrick Page as Hermes and Hades respectively) are going to return to reprise their roles on the Great White Way, but it is reasonable to assume that they will. However, regardless of whether they return or not, Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin will provide a powerful and dramatic take on an iconic ancient tragedy. Chavkin was behind the acclaimed but short-lived Broadway musical Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, but hopefully this project will enjoy a far longer run. Whilst the 2017-18 season was a pretty weak one for musicals, the 2018-19 season will be a lot more exciting and diverse, and Hadestown will be one of the primary favourites to succeed at the Tony Awards in June.

Dumbo (Released March 29th)

Tim Burton's 2010 remake/sequel of Alice in Wonderland was certainly not his best work, but it proved a phenomenal success, making over $1 billion worldwide and ensuring that remakes would become the cornerstone of Disney's live-action division. Almost a decade later, Burton is adaptation nother early Disney classic, Dumbo. Whilst Disney's live-action remakes are often criticised for being too close to the source material, Burton will make plenty of changes for Dumbo. After all, The original film was just 65 minutes long, and featured a lot of padding and dated material that is not suitable for 2018. This means that the Burton has to radically expand the story in order to turn it into a 2 hour blockbuster. The greatest change is shifting the focus from Dumbo to the human employees of the circus, with Colin Farrell playing a father who comes across the titular big-eared elephant and tries to help him learn how to fly. The supporting cast includes the likes of Danny DeVito and Michael Keaton, but the CGI elephant will remain the primary scene-stealer. Burton's reputation has been waning in recent years, but Dumbo should provide the blend of whimsy and darkness which has made him so successful.

The Princess and the Fangirl (Released April 2nd)

It is hard to do something truly unique with a story as familiar as Cinderella, but Ashley Poston managed this with her 2017 novel Geekerella. This updated the story popularised by Charles Perrault  to fit the world of modern fan culture, with the Grand Ball being a Sci-Fi convention and the Prince being a handsome young actor who is about to play the lead in the Sci-Fi blockbuster Starfield. This spring, Poston is returning to the Geekerella universe with The Princess and The Fangirl, centred on a side character from the original novel. The Princess and the Fangirl takes the ambitious actress Jessica Stone and makes her the protagonist in an adventure inspired by Mark Twain's classic The Prince and The Pauper. Jessica plays Princess Amara in the Starfield Franchaise, but wants to quit the role in order to find classier projects. However, rumours that Princess Amara will be killed off lead fangirl Imogen Lovelace (who looks remarkably like Jessica) to start an online campaign to save the character. When the script to the new Starfield movie is leaked, Imogen and Jessica have to switch places in order to find the person responsible. In addition to providing a feminist twist on the source material, The Princess and the Fangirl pays tribute to the legions of fans obsessed with iconic Sci-Fi brands such as Star Wars and Star Trek. The stars of these franchises have become the modern-day equivalent to royalty for many, and the studios where they are filmed have the same awe-inspiring power as royal castles. Like Geekerella, The Princess and the Fangirl will provide an entertaining exploration of fan culture, demonstrating what happens when a Fangirl fulfils her their fairytale dream and gets to meet the people whose output has played such a major role in their lives.

Missing Link (Released April 12th)

The Stop-motion studio Laika are one of the most exciting and innovative animation companies in America, and it is always great to see them release a new movie. This year, they are releasing Missing Link, a new take on the Bigfoot legend. The story concerns a giant half-ape, half-human creature (voiced by Zach Galifanakis) who teams up with two explorers (voiced by Hugh Jackman and Zoe Saldana) in order to travel to the mythical city of Shangri-La and find the rest of his species. Compared to the likes of Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings, Missing Link seems like a rather conventional 'road trip' comedy, but the characters and settings should be engaging enough to make the movie stand out. It goes without saying that the stop-motion animation will be the highlight of Missing Link, as Laika will provide a Jules Verne-style Victorian world even more ambitious than anything they have created before - Far Eastern mountains, atmospheric American forests and giant sailing ships are all being portrayed in a wonderfully detailed and colourful fashion. Hours of effort have gone into even the smallest details, as the studio have created new technology to allow characters to breathe authentically. In a year where most of the major animated movies (including The Lego Movie 2, Toy Story 4 and Frozen 2) will be sequels, Missing Link is the sort of creative stand-alone film that will really excite fans of the genre. 

Charming (Released in the UK in Spring 2019)

From the philandering princes of Into the Woods to the outright villainous Prince Hans from Frozen, handsome princes are rarely treated with anything other than contempt in modern revisionist fairytale films. However, Charming represents an interesting exception to the rule. It tells the story of a Prince who is affected with a curse which makes him irresistible to every woman he meets. This naturally comes with some increasingly unpleasant side effects, and Prince Phillipe has to team up with a jewel thief to undo the spell before all love in the world is lost forever. Charming has been awaiting a major release for a very long time (Wilmer Valderrama and Demi Lovato, who voice the protagonists, were a couple when they recorded their lines but have since split up), but it was finally released in various European territories last year, and fledgling studio Blue Finch Films have acquired the rights to release it in the UK.  Producer John H Williams helped bring Shrek to the big screen, but his 2007 animation Happily N'Ever After was critically panned, and there is a real chance that Charming could be a second consecutive fairytale-themed failure. That said, the premise is certainly interesting and any film with the legendary John Cleese as a fairy godmother will definitely be fun. At the very least, this will be a decent time waster for children during the holiday. 

Cinderella Liberator (Released May 7th)

As we become more conscious about the messages that we send to young girls, fairytale retellings are under pressure to set a positive example for them. One new book which will inspire numerous girls in 2019 is Cinderella Liberator, written by the prominent feminist commentator Rebecca Solnit. Needless to say, this Cinderella is not going to wait for a prince to return her missing shoe, but will instead be a tougher and more active character fighting for herself and those around her. However, Cinderella Liberator will still stay true to the core idea of a mistreated girl escaping her miserable and monotonous world. The book also honours its roots through its use of silhouettes created by the legendary fairy tale illustrator Arthur Rackham, and the contrast between classic illustrations and modern messages is certainly intriguing. It will be fascinating to see an academic like Solnit transfer to the world of children's literature, but it allows her to promote her ideas and beliefs in a unique and entertaining manner. 

Aladdin (Released May 24th)

Disney's live-action remakes have tended to be adapted from more serious and old fashioned films, but their take on Aladdin represents a different approach. Disney's 1992 hit, based on the classic Arabian Nights tale about a street urchin who discovers a powerful Genie and tries to win the heart of a Princess, took a more action-packed and comedic approach than the likes of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, and the live-action remake will need to emulate this in order to stand out. The project has attracted considerable scepticism, but it looks like the most interesting of Disney's three live-action remakes this year. Sherlock Holmes director Guy Ritchie will apply his brash, action-packed style to this family-friendly adventure musical, but needs to provide a more sensitive depiction of the fictitious Arabic kingdom of Agrabah, responding to criticism which the original film has received for its heavily stereotypical depiction of the widely misrepresented Middle East. The star of the show will undoubtedly be Will Smith, playing the legendary Genie and returning to the smooth, energetic and lively persona he has discarded in recent years. The rest of the cast consists of various rising stars with a Middle Eastern or Indian background, with Mena Massoud as Aladdin and Naomi Scott as Jasmine. The classic songs from the original will return, but there will also be a couple of new ones from The Greatest Showman composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The additional songs created for Disney's live-action remakes tend not to upstage the originals, but if anyone can break this convention, it's the duo behind "This is Me" and "You Will Be Found". Aladdin will either be the best or the worst of Disney's live-action projects, and we are all waiting to see whether it exceeds expectations or lives down to the worst fears if Disney fans...

Wicked Fox (Released June 25th)

Due to its focus on fantasy and melodrama, the YA genre often draws on mythology and fairytales. A lot of YA stories are based on familiar Western fairytales, but Katharine Cho's Wicked Fox does something diferent, using Korean Folklore as its inspiration. Wicked Fox tells the story of Gu Mihoung, a seemingly ordinary women who lives in modern day Seoul with her mother. However, she is actually a Gumiho - a mythological nine-tailed fox who has to eat the souls of men in order to survive. Mihoung decides to use her deadly powers for good by becoming a vigilante and feeding on the criminals who have evaded justice. However, things get complicated when she befriends a young man and falls in love with him. Cho has been writing since the age of nine, but this is the first book of hers to actually be published. With an intriguing premise that combines several familiar elements in a creative and exciting way, Wicked Fox marks Cho out as a talent to watch. 

The Launch of Disney+ (Late 2019)

With the rise of Netflix and Amazon Prime, streaming is becoming an increasingly prominent part of film and TV culture, so it is no surprise to find out that Disney will enter this lucrative market with their new service Disney +. First announced in August 2017, Disney + starts operating in the second half of 2019. Disney films used to be a Netflix staple, but they are all being moved to . Disney +, and all Disney movies released from now on will be released on this channel after their cinematic runs conclude. Once it is complete, Disney + will provide a major platform for a wide range of Disney films and TV series, including older classics, more recent blockbusters, and productions from Disney-owned brands such as Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic. However, like Netflix and Amazon Prime, Disney + will also provide plenty of original films and TV shows created especially for the platform (There are rumours that these projects will include a live-action remake of The Sword In The Stone and a new version of Don Quixote.)  Netflix productions like Orange Is The New Black, Stranger Things and Roma have set an incredibly high bar for streaming services, but Disney definitely have the talent and resources to provide some big hits of their own. Aimed primarily at families and cheaper than most of its rivals, Disney + will definitely be another major money-spinner for Disney. 

Moulin Rogue arrives on Broadway (Previews Begin June 28th, Opening Night July 25th)

Baz Luhrman's 2001 film Moulin Rogue was a creative and unusual musical about a star-crossed romance in a fantasy version of 1890's Paris. For the first musical of the 2019-20 season, the Hirschfield Theatre will be hosting a new stage adaptation of this Oscar-nominated hit. The story and setting are mostly the same, but the Jukebox soundtrack of the original film (including "Your Song" and "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend") is being updated to include hits for the last 17 years such as "Rolling in the Deep" and "Royals". Les Miserables star Aaron Tveit plays the protagonist Christian (portrayed by Ewan McGregor in the film), whilst Karen Olivo will play his ill-fated love interest Satine. Director Alex Timbers has gained a reputation for being one of the most innovative directors on Broadway. The eye popping detailed and immersive sets were the highlight of the production at the Boston tryouts last year, and they will probably be upgraded for Broadway to be even more incredible. On paper, Lurhman's output should be perfect for Broadway, but his fast-paced and chaotic filming style is not easy to translate to the more static medium of the stage. Although an adaptation of Strictly Ballroom did not do very well on the West End this year, this version of Moulin Rogue looks set to prove that Luhrman's decadent approach can be successfully transferred to the stage. 

The Lion King (Released July 19th)

The last and biggest of Disney's live-action remakes is The Lion King. In the 25 years since the original was released, it has become one of Disney's signature films, and remaking it for 2019 is a pretty difficult challenge. Jon Favereau, whose 2016 adaptation of The Jungle Book is probably the most acclaimed of Disney's live-action remakes, is transferring its motion capture approach to the Savannahs of Africa, sparking plenty of debate over whether a film without human characters can be considered live-action. The inhabitants of Pride Rock will be brought to life by "photorealistic" visuals and an all-star cast, with Donald Glover voicing Simba, and Chiwetel Ejofor voicing the diabolical Scar. However, the two biggest attractions will be Beyoncé, voicing Simba's love interest Nala, and James Earl Jones, who voiced Mufasa in the original film and is returning to reprise his role as the King of the Jungle. It will be incredibly difficult to improve on the near-perfect original, but this version of The Lion King should still be an impressive and entertaining summer spectacle on its own terms. 

The D23 2019 (August 23rd - 25th)

Since it was started in 2009, the Biennial D23 convention (established by Disney's Official fan club D23) allows Disney fans to head to California for three days of exciting activities themed around the output of the iconic studio. The attractions include cosplay competitions, concerts, film screenings and the opportunity to meet the people behind their favourite films. However, the undisputed highlight of any D23 convention is the opportunity to learn more about the Disney films which will arrive in cinemas over the next few years. With all three live-action remakes and Toy Story 4 already released by August, the focus of D23 will probably be Frozen 2. "Let It Go" was first performed at the 2013 D23 - will D23 audiences get to hear an equally impressive song? We can also expect news on forthcoming live-action and animated projects, including release dates, casting information and even exclusive footage. 

Mary Poppins arrives on the West End (Previews and Opening Night in Autumn 2019)

The recent sequel Mary Poppins Returns has probably not been as much of a hit as many anticipated, but it has undoubtedly succeeded in its primary role of revitalising interest in Disney's 1964 classic Mary Poppins. In order to capitalise on this, Disney Theatrical's 2004 adaptation of Mary Poppins will return to the West End in Autumn 2019. It will replace Aladdin at the Prince Edward theatre, opening shortly after that musical closes at the end of August. This is the first time that Disney have provided a major revival of one of their own musicals, and it will be interesting to see whether the new version can emulate or surpass the success of the original production, which ran for four years at the same theatre. The stage version of Mary Poppins, a collaboration between Disney Theatrical and British mega-producer Cameron Mackintosh, combines elements from the Disney film and the P.L Travers novels which inspired it. Zizi Strallen will play Mary Poppins (having previously played the iconic nanny in a well-received touring adaptation of the production in 2015 and 2016), whilst Charlie Stemp will be her chimney sweep sidekick Bert. The numerous classic songs from the original film, such as "A Spoonful of Sugar", "Feed the Birds" and "Step in Time" will return, as will popular songs from the original West End production such as "Practically Perfect" and "Anything Can Happen". The production also contains some incredible special effects (from bottomless bags to actors walking on the ceiling), but the most important aspect will undoubtedly be the timeless story of how Mary Poppins brings joy to the lives of the Banks family. This new West End production will keep a lot of the elements which made the original such a success whilst providing enough new material to justify the decision to give it such a high-profile revival. 

P.S - fans of Mary Poppins may also be interested in The Life I Lead, a new play which will be performed at North London's Park Theatre in March. It tells the story of David Tomlinson (the prolific British actor best known for playing Mr. Banks in the original Mary Poppins) and will reveal how Tomlinson's relationship with his father inspired his portrayal of the Banks family patriarch. TV comedian Miles Jupp will play Tomlinson in a production which will blend both drama and comedy to highlight his unique role in cinema history. The Life I Lead is not the first work to examine the role unreliable fathers played in the making of Mary Poppins, but seems like an intriguing counterpoint to the 'Disneyfied' approach of Saving Mr Banks. It is only going to be on for 12 nights (March 18th - March 30th), so you have to book quickly in order to see it...

Frozen 2 (Released 22nd November)

Out of all the fairytale related projects mentioned in this article, there are none which will attract as much scrutiny and hype as Frozen 2. It is almost six years since the original Frozen became an unexpected phenomenon, and it remains incredibly popular with audiences of all ages. Jennifer Lee, director and writer of the original film, is returning for Frozen 2, and this film represents her greatest test since she was appointed Disney's new Chief Creative Officer in June. Co-director Chris Buck and songwriting duo Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez will also be back, and Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel will be reprising their roles as royal sisters Anna and Elsa. The original Frozen is both one of the most loved and most hated films in the Disney canon, and the team will have to put in extra effort to keep the fans happy whilst winning over detractors. Information on Frozen 2 is pretty thin on the ground at the moment, but there will be new characters (two of whom are likely to be voiced by Sterling K. Brown and Evan Rachel Wood) and around eight new songs. Lee has confirmed that the film will take Anna and Elsa far from their kingdom of Arendelle, and Kristen Anderson-Lopez has implied that some of the mythology added for the recent Broadway adaptation could make its way into the sequel. Following up a film as iconic as Frozen is an incredibly hard task, but of Frozen 2 builds on Anna and Elsa's relationship whilst providing them with a compelling new story and more catchy songs, it could equal or even surpass its predecessor. 

The 2019 Pantomimes (Opening November/December)

Given that the Christmas 2018 pantomimes are still on, it seems a bit too early to get excited about the ones which will open at the end of 2019. However, many theatres have already announced their 2019 pantomimes, as these are a highlight of the calendar for many major suburban and regional theatres. As usual, most of the major pantomime venues are adapting the small handful of classic fairy tales which define the traditional pantomime repertoire. The Lyric Hammersmith will be adapting Cinderella, whilst the Theatre Royal Stratford will be providing a version of Dick Whittington. We can expect the cast and crew to liven up these familiar tales with slapstick, topical humour and even a few smutty innuendos. 

In addition, some theatres have already announced the stars of their annual pantomimes. Craig Revel Horwood will play the Wicked Queen in Manchester's version of Snow White, whilst Shane Ritchie will play Robin Hood in Bristol, having played him in Milton Keynes over Christmas. We can expect more popular British celebrities, ranging from panto mainstays to genre newcomers, to be confirmed as headliners soon. There is still a lot more to learn about the pantomimes which will define Christmas 2019, but most of the information about them will be revealed by the end of April, so you won't have to wait too long to find out which pantomimes are worth booking a early ticket for...