Once upon a time there was an older lady who found herself walking through the woods. She doesn’t know it yet, but she is on the journey of a lifetime. But will she make it to Bremen? Gather ‘round to hear Gregory Prest’s haunting fable Bremen Town, a story about finding yourself while finding your way. Featuring an all-star cast, Bremen Town is a cozy tale for the autumn.

Dorothea Esel has been the housekeeper of the same house for 45 years. Suddenly, the new mistress has turned her out on her ear, and Frau Esel has nowhere to go. She begins the journey to Bremen; her son lives there and she’s hoping he’ll be able to take her in. In Hanover, she meets Herr Hund, a huckster who’s agreed to be her guide to Bremen. As they walk the roads, they run into several quirky characters, some who stay and some who take different paths. But what awaits Frau Esel at the end of the road? Will she be welcomed with open arms as she imagines?

There were two themes in Bremen Town which really struck me upon this viewing: how we treat our elders, and nurturing our inner child. It’s incredible to see four main characters all played by veteran actors; plays like this are few and far between, and so to see legends of the industry playing these extraordinary characters is like a full masterclass. Yet what those characters endure throughout their saga together is almost unfathomable: from being kicked out of a home, to being sold by their children, to coming home to find it destroyed, they all go through heartbreaking ordeals. However, through all of this, the message of finding and nurturing your inner child shines through. The imagination and fun that Herr Hund, Herr Katze, and Frau Henne have, especially in the darker moments of the play, is uplifting and delightful. They desperately try to get Frau Esel to understand their whimsical world view, and we only see Frau Esel happy when she succumbs to that imaginative perspective. Bremen Town proves that you can enjoy life at any age, and that letting some playfulness and joy into your life can bring out your truest self.

This magical story is told on a beautiful set which immediately brings to mind Jan Brett’s “The Mitten” where there are elements of the story depicted on the frame around the story itself. Nancy Perrin has done an incredible job of bringing the storybook feel of the play to life through the set and costumes. Even the railings which lead up to the stage space on either side have been transformed into beautifully detailed wooden pieces. The design elements firmly ground the story, not only in its location, but in this Grimm-esque world where the forest is full of dangers, but occasionally there’s a kite festival along the way.

Nancy Palk gives an enthralling performance as Frau Esel. She brings such a beautiful softness to this otherwise very rigid character, and she is radiant in doing so. Oliver Dennis comes in with the opposite energy as Herr Hund; his exuberance and joy are felt throughout the production. William Webster and Sheila McCarthy play the sibling duo of Herr Katze and Frau Henne. They compliment each other so well, and they give heartrending performances. Tatjana Cornij’s Vogel acts as narrator, songstress, and voice of reason within the play. Playing her own compositions while also guiding both character and audience through the story, Cornij becomes the beating heart of Bremen Town. Playing myriad characters each, Farhang Ghajar, Veronica Hortigüela, and Dan Mousseau complete this incredible story. They deftly create all of the intriguing personalities who Frau Esel and her companions encounter, changing characters at the drop of a hat.

Bremen Town is like being read a bedtime story by the most talented storytellers imaginable. Perfect for the autumn weather, you can cozy up with this heartfelt adventure you won’t soon forget. Grab your kite and don your flower crown, and make your way to Bremen Town.

Bremen Town runs at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace until October 26. For more information and tickets, visit: https://tarragontheatre.com/plays/2025-2026/bremen-town/

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Cover Photo: Dan Mousseau, Nancy Palk, Veronica Hortiguela, Oliver Dennis, and Farhang Ghajar. Photo by Jae Yang.