REVIEW: RED


Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

RED by the Scottish Young Opera is a captivating modern twist on Little Red Riding Hood, featuring outstanding performances and clever storytelling.


RED by the Scottish Young Opera is a delightful, modern twist on tales from the brothers Grimm. As someone who grew up reading Grimm’s fairy tales, I was particularly excited to see how this production would bring the story to life. I wasn’t disappointed. The show is a fascinating mix of old and new that kept the audience engaged and entertained throughout.

One of the best things about this show is the set design and lighting. They used minimal props but in really creative ways, making the most of every piece. The lighting was just perfect, creating a mysterious and magical atmosphere that pulled you right into the story. These elements were cleverly woven together to enhance the storytelling without overshadowing it.

The music was fantastic. The young musicians were incredibly talented, playing with a skill and passion that was truly impressive. The mix of traditional opera with modern sounds worked really well and added a lot to the overall feel of the show. The orchestra’s performance was a highlight, providing a rich, textured soundscape that elevated the entire production.

The cast was also outstanding. The actress playing Little Red did an amazing job. She brought so much emotion to her performance, and her singing was beautiful. Fox and El Rose brought so much energy and humor to their roles, making the audience laugh out loud several times. Their performances were definitely highlights of the show and added a wonderful, playful, yet sinister element to the narrative.

RED had a good balance of serious and funny moments. The humor was spot-on and provided a nice contrast to the darker themes of the story. I especially enjoyed how the modern storytelling brought fresh perspectives to the classic tale. It was fascinating to see familiar elements of Little Red Riding Hood transformed in new and inventive ways.

However, the pacing was a bit uneven. For a show that’s only an hour long, there were moments that felt slow and clunky. Some scenes could have been a bit tighter to keep the momentum going. Despite this, the overall production was engaging, and these slower moments didn’t detract too much from the experience.

Despite these minor issues, RED is a wonderful showcase of young talent. The musicianship is top-notch, and the innovative use of props and lighting adds a lot to the experience. It’s clear that a lot of thought and effort went into this production.

In short, RED by the Scottish Young Opera is a fun, engaging, and at times, laugh-out-loud funny take on a classic story. The clever blending of traditional and modern elements, combined with outstanding performances and musicianship, makes this a show well worth seeing. If you love fairy tales and enjoy innovative storytelling, RED is definitely for you.