Writer and director of the Wise Children theatre company, Emma Rice, reimagines the French folktale Blue Beard narrative with the aim of “breathing life into the women he tried to control.” with her new theatre show at HOME, Manchester.

Co-produced by York Theatre Royal in association with Bristol Old Vic, the company of Wise Children are fierce in their non-stop energy as Emma Rice skilfully delivers a spirited adaptation of Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers that is toe-tappingly infectious to all.

This brazen, sensual and dark adaptation of du Maurier’s Rebecca has proved a breath of fresh air in its rework of the 80-year-old Gothic classic.