Hans in Luck

About this event

Frankfurt company Compagnie en route brings the classic Grimm fairytale into a contemporary setting with their production ‘Hans in Luck’. Naïve Hans receives a heavy gold nugget as wages after seven years’ service, but his cunning former mistress and her accomplice plot to get it back. In a series of trades – gold for horse, horse for cow, cow for pig, pig for goose – the story takes a modern twist when Hans acquires a smartphone. Instead of bringing joy, the device buzzes, beeps and demands constant attention. When it is stolen, Hans remains blissfully free, leaving his schemers tied to their worries. The performance mixes music, danced elements and simple staging that leaves plenty of room for children’s own imagination. Without a lecturing tone, it explores big questions: Does ownership make you happy? Who is really naïve? Is letting go the answer? Suitable for families with children aged about 5 and up, the show runs roughly an hour, offering a gentle, entertaining way to talk about consumerism and contentment.