It is just over 200 years since the first edition of the collected folk tales of the Grimm brothers was published and, to mark the anniversary, Pembroke-based theatre group The East End Flyover Company recently staged a specially-written production in the suitably magical setting of the Penquoit Centre near Cresswell Quay.

Based on four of the Grimm brothers’ tales - some familiar, others less so - A Grimmer Tale was written and directed by company members Angharad Scourfield, Owain Roach and Naomi Chiffi, with the stunning set designs and costumes by Kath Levell, Molly Creemer, Rachael Bush and Kath John.

Live music was provided by the Flyover Company’s ‘house band’ and also by harpist Jess Ward and the folk ensemble Estron.

Audiences who attended the three performances found themselves being led through a maze of buildings where children recited dark nursery rhymes and a slightly spooky ringmaster played by Tom Ramage set the scene for the evening.

From there, it was into the tented courtyard for a lively and inventive retelling of some of the grimmer tales from the Grimm back catalogue - with a blood-spattered version of Red Riding Hood adding a touch of light relief thanks to feisty performances by Roger Leese as the wolf and Samantha Marshall as his reluctant supper.

Binding the various tales together was the figure of Godfather Death (a lugubrious Brian Rowe), always keeping an eye on his godson, a medical doctor played as a youngster by Luke Mansfield and as an older man by Chris Davies. Despite being transformed into a bear-like figure as a penance, the godson manages to win the love of a beautiful young woman (Rebecca Algieri) and arrangements are made for their wedding.

But anyone in the audience expecting a happy ending was out of luck - this was no panto version of the tales, but the Grimm reality, with Godfather Death obliged to snuff out the life of his own godson in a chilling finale.

With a large and energetic cast, great music, colourful costumes and a wonderful setting, this was another hugely successful production by the Flyover Company.

“We’re really grateful to Joan Carlisle and family of Penquoit Farm for allowing us to perform in such a magical venue,” said Naomi Chiffi, who lives in Tenby. “And we are also grateful to Castle School in Cresselly for their support, as six staff members - past and present - and six pupils took part.”