Hansel and Gretel, Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park

Into the woods they go, little Hansel and Gretel, to pick berries for the family supper. It sounds idyllic, but the adventure quickly turns into something more sinister in the classic German opera Hansel and Gretel.

Sung in English at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, Hansel and Gretel is the second collaboration between the summer theatre company and English National Opera. Expect singing of the highest quality, but also that extra magic that comes from seeing a production in natural surroundings.

Hansel and Gretel themselves are created by women singers who as the brother and sister squabble and collaborate like all siblings, sticking together in the face of a distraught and bullying mother and drunken father in a household pinched by poverty. With food in short supply, changing upon the Witch's edible house is too tempting for the children...

Double cast, the opera by Englebert Humperdinck is directed by Tim Sheader, with choreography by Lizzi Gee. 'Brother come and dance with me' is one of the best-known tunes in opera, and the balletic Dew Fairy''s dance is a delight. Ben Glassberg conducts members of the ENO Orchestra. Rachel Kelly and Heather Lowe share the role of Hansel; Susanna Hurrell and Elizabeth Karani sing Gretel.

Hansel and Gretel is an annual favourite at Christmas in German opera houses. But a summer staging of the Grimm Brothers' tale makes complete sense. Venture into the woods with these two, and you are sure of a big surprise....

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Hansel and Gretel is sung in English. Evening performances are on 14, 15 June, and from 17-22 June, with matinees also on 20 and 22 June. Suitable for children of 9 and over.