The Crow, (The Princess), and The Scullery Maid

I really liked this, the actors were great, the costumes were fantastic. But sometimes it felt like ten pounds of ideas squeezed into an four pound sack? There are certain things, like the TED talk, or the absolutely bonkers concept that all princesses look identical because of inept story-witches pulling the strings in the background, that are worthy of being shows all by themselves.

Very funny. A great riff on fairytale tropes!

We had a super time at the show. It was funny and family friendly. The cast were very welcoming and we got lots of photos with them before and after the show. They gave the kids a little butterfly each as it was their last performance. They were delighted. Hope they are back next year as we would definitely book again.

It was a very cute little show (we went with our kids). Really nice.

I highly enjoyed this very funny and entertaining original show! The side interruptions add to the originality and fun of the show. If you love fairy tail or just stories well told, this is a show for you. And all of the costumes were handmade by the play writer and very impressive. Highly recommend this show

What a wonderful way to spend an hour at Fringe! Spin Cycle takes classic fairy tale tropes and flips them - and some chaos ensues - but of course, we have a happy ending as the finale. I also love that the underdog is the one who wins in the end. These talented actors brought such a fun story to life.

This is a show that has something for everyone - adults and kids alike. My favorite moments include the Ted talk, the wizard, and the magic included in the show.

Thank you to Spin Cycle for a fun evening!

Very fun show : it is a parody of fairy tales, led by a troupe of actors who have rhythm, humor and presence. Each and everyone perfom different characters, change costumes and I was drawn into their entertaining story in a quirky world.

This was such a fun show. We stumbled into it by accident, but I am so glad we did! Just a bit of silly funny enjoyable theatre with some very talented actors, I loved it!

The very definition of pure theatre, a truly adorable and captivating play!

So I really loved this show. The guideline days 8+ which sort of implies that it's aimed at children which isn't the case. It's universal really. Very pure, orthodox theatre. Lots of attention to detail. Very funny pastiche / spoof /satire on a fairy tale that goes wrong buts ends up going right.

3/5 star. It was cute. In the story, first-time witch Nitta casts a spell which turns a prince into a crow. A scullery maid stumbles upon the crow and learns the crow must kiss a princess to return to his royal form. The maid embarks on a quest to help the crow, with Nitta looking on from a picture frame (a literal narrative frame?).

The actors gave the performance their all, and the costumes were fabulous. If you watch this performance, sit in the front row as some of the action happens on the floor of the stage, so it can be hard to see from the 2nd row or farther, farther away.

The story needs editing. The premise should be made clearer from the outset - that this is a world where witches write stories which then come to life - as the plot lost the audience. Like the title, the script is rambling, possibly due to the inclusion of too many characters (did Nitta need a bloke to guide her storywriting?). Lots of elements are introduced but never picked up, for example, there's a sword on stage that disappointingly remains firmly sheathed.

It was unclear who the intended audience was. The exuberant characters and magic were more suited to a kids show, but the occasional strong language and pithy remarks about society made it feel more like a show for adults.

Overall, The Crow, The Princess and the Scullery Maid offers a charming yet uneven experience. The cast bring a certain magic to the stage, even if the story itself falters. The premise had great potential but was muddled in execution, leaving the audience more confused than captivated. I hope to see Spin Cycle Theater at a future Fringe with a tighter, more focused narrative as it will allow the cast to spin a truly enchanting tale.

It was a really nice theatre play - good writing and performance. We really enjoyed it. It is well-suited for families!

I am surprised by the negative reviews. No,it wasn't deep, but it was fun.

From the first "duh!" this riotous dismantling (and re-mantling) of the Fairy Tale form is relentless and hilarious. The twists! The turns! The madcap zaniness, the broad strokes, the finely tuned tech, the costumes, the thrown-away one-liners, the winks to the audience -- it all adds up to a charming, delightful, and wackadoodle hour like no other. Totally fringe-y... a must see!

If you enjoy fairy tales that are a little less saccharine and cleverly written then this is a show for you. Really enjoyed it.

The cast's boundless energy cannot compensate for a completely pointless and unfunny script. In a one-hour show, no one in the packed house laughed, ever.

Great show. Kids loved it and plenty to enjoy for the grownups too!

I really enjoyed this show! It was funny and very original, the Terry Pratchett-style (verbal) footnotes/interruptions and unnecessary details were charming and added to the experience. All of the costumes were handmade and very impressive. My favourite character was Rosemary. Great job!

Lovely. Me and my friend David thoroughly enjoyed this show. It had a light touch throughout, and moved along happily and nicely. I particularly enjoyed the Mithril-esque deep fantasy lingo of the witch, while our heroine was simply enjoying having a nice frock! Much to like here. It left me feeling happier then when I went in. And ultimately, while we are all lightning rods of the experiences, people and places we place ourselves, it is great when our moments are made a little better by folk putting themselves out there in the all too public theatre lights of the fringe. You should go and see this. It will leave you a little better, a little shinier, a little more engaged with the lighter part of your heart. Can you ask for more?

My family enjoyed this show which plays with how stories are created and the traditional expectations of a fairytale. Well performed by the cast, they made the most of a small stage. Not “in-you-face” like some shows.

I hate to say it but I really did not like this show. For the first few minutes, I had high hopes for a fun subversion of classic fairytale tropes, but it was really not all it was cracked up to be when I was given the pitch by a (very kind and enthusiastic) flyerer. The jokes set up either fell flat or were over-used and therefore got old, and the show took an incredibly tell-don't-show approach to the explanation of concepts, some of which were not even used. Some gags which had huge potential to be hilarious were not dwelled on, and the ending was abrupt with no payoff.

I also really could not figure out which age range this was intended for. As a Gen Z audience member, the jokes felt painfully millennial, while everything was over-explained in a way I'm sure a 5-year-old would find patronising. All while swearing relatively frequently. If you are looking for a kids' show, go to a kids' show. And if you are looking for comedy, this is the Fringe! It is quite literally everywhere.

I am sure that, with time and editing, this could be a really nice show for younger audiences with some jokes that fly over their heads for the parents. However, in its current state, I would not recommend.

Such a fun and charming show! Absolutely loved this fairytale-turned-upside-down and would recommend it for adults and children alike!

A wonderfully funny deconstruction of fairy tales, performed by a charismatic, high energy and fearless ensemble of actors. A young witch/storyteller learns that sometimes the stories we create take on their own life, despite a writer's best efforts to make them fit the rules. I loved the message and it's a fun story for all ages. Plenty of easter eggs in the script for fans of fairy tales and fantasy and the actors do a great job bringing this delightfully wacky and original tale to life.

A super show, really well done, pokes lots of fun at overly serious fantasy in fun wicked way.

Thoroughly enjoyed this inventive "fairy"tale!

My 10 year old was inspired and is now writing her own witch-tale based on the rules of the universe in the play.

The performers took photos after the show with the audience members and were happy to answer all questions the girls had.

Thank you

The Crow, (The Princess), and The Scullery Maid by Lucie Rowan takes everything you love about fairy tales and subverts the age old tropes to create a story that is charming, engaging, and perfect for 2024. Filled with memorable performances and fun for all ages, this show is a perfect addition to your Fringe trip!

After the show I attended, the cast took pictures with audience members of all ages and spoke with audience members for nearly an hour. It is clear that Spin Cycle is having the time of their lives & that they care deeply about this show and their audiences. I can't recommend this show highly enough!

An excellent cast with a new approach to fairy tales (or is it?). An inventive and creative show for everyone.

1 Star - I'm afraid I can't agree with the other reviews posted here. Me and my family went to this show, lured by the quaint costumes and promise of fantasy, and we did not find it funny in the slightest. The story wasn't interesting or fun, the jokes didn't hit at all and in fact there were several moments where I hoped they would pull it back by making the very obvious joke to make in that situation but they missed it every time; the script didn't really sound like it had been written by a human. Character interactions felt ordinary like real life with no charm and the things that they thought were funny were overdone and yet there were no payoffs for anything. The actors executed their parts well enough but the parts ranged from boring to irritating. From my perspective, the only people that would enjoy this are very young children.

Thoroughly enjoyed this tongue in cheek fairy tale. Fast paced, witty and wonderful acting!

This fantastical world full of witches and wizards couldn’t have been more fully realized by none other than Lucie Rowan. Her brilliant dissection of the fairy tale genre captures the spirit of British humor (inspired by Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Monty Python, and Edgar Wright). She crafted an absolute love letter to anyone who feels like an outsider/outcast/misfit. Letting them know they are loved too. Filled with geeky little gold nuggets referencing Tolkien, the Witcher, and more! Please see this play! It has so much heart!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

A larger than life satire and celebration in this zany show that takes the clichés of the fairytale and blows them up, turns them upside down, then puts them back together.
A joyful, spirited performance from this Paris based American (and Romanian) team.
Fave moments: the impromptu TED talk that breaks into the show, the crazy Wizard with his (it’s not a man) mystical musings on the origin and meaning of all things in fairyland/Tolkein land, and the wide eyed lovers.
I assumed the show was for young kids, but the occasional swear words (which could be dropped?) nudges the play into the 14 + section.
As we tumble through this jumble, the cast’s pace and energy drive it forward, making for an hilarious evening, of handsome princes, elegant princesses and a charming chamber maid. But does the crow steal the show…? Go find out.

Love the show, it’s so relaxing and fun, makes you feel like a child all over again

Our group –ages 11 to 71– adored this hilarious *original* play that lovingly pokes fun at fairytale tropes and fantasy genre geekiness while telling a very sweet and deeply silly story. Suitable for all ages.

If you’re looking for a laugh- look no further! This take on fairy tales has your typical princes, princesses, frogs, and magic and some new additions, a crow and scullery maid! You don’t want to miss this show. Suitable for all ages!

A clever, tongue-in-cheek take on “The Frog Prince” by way of Terry Pratchett, with some Michael Moorcock references thrown in for good measure! I very much enjoyed the jaded parade hosts, the hapless witch siblings, the genre-savvy scullery maid, and the other characters I can’t mention without giving things away. Chock full of nuggets for dyed-in-the-wool nerds like me, but fun no matter what your level of fantasy familiarity is!

The Crow, (The Princess), and The Scullery Maid is a lovely take on Fairytales that explored the comedic dangers of breaking the unspoken rules every fairytale must follow. The cast brought to life a slew of wonderful characters. Bickering siblings that love each other, a wizard embodying Monty Python’s Tim the Enchanter, and much more. Fun for the kids, fun for the adults! Definitely happy that I saw this show.