Into the Woods

I was impressed with this production on all levels.  It was in some ways taken back to a simple form, with not too many bells and whistles, but this meant that the whole thing was very clear, and the stories easy to follow.  I liked the format.

The set was good, the book flats opened out well and were nicely dressed inside, giving an impression of the three homes, whilst being easy to manoeuvre.  The carriage was also fun!  The cloths were very atmospheric, and benefitted from good lighting throughout.  I liked the back lighting at the end of Last Midnight, and also the spots on the Baker and his Wife in the finale, nicely thought out.

Sound was good throughout, I think sound and the cast benefitted greatly from having the band stage right.  Musically the production was first class, with a well balanced band, some lovely harmonies from the cast and well-rehearsed by Peter Jones so that the intricacies of Sondheim were observed.  I liked that fact that although the production was nicely paced, the music didn’t seem rushed, but there was always energy where needed.  First Midnight was atmospheric, and the first Into the Woods was very harmonious.

The costumes all looked good, and very suitable, with great wigs, especially for Cinderella’s stepmother and her daughters, who also had very colourful dresses.  This aspect helped pull the production together with the more sombre clothes of the ‘peasants’.

One small point, when Jack and the Baker were on the balcony stage left, those of us in seats 24 and along the row to the wall couldn’t really see Jack, which was a shame.

I liked the characterisations, and got a real sense of relationships from the Baker and his Wife, and Jack and his Mother.

Gina Abbatt gave a fine performance both vocally and with her portrayals as first the evil witch, then the good version.  I would have perhaps liked a little pzazz around her transformation, but it worked well.

Kier Home was an excellent Narrator, expressive and charming, whilst Simon Latter created a nicely evil Wolf, and a very charming slightly quizzical Prince.  He interacted well with Rapunzel’s Prince in Agony and Dean Kirkbride was suitably devil-may-care!

Stephanie Seal as Jack’s Mother gave us a rather wry person, acknowledging her son’s naivety, whilst Freddy Goldscheider created a very good Jack, just the right amount of immaturity, and he sang beautifully, lots of expression in the Giants in the Sky number – very well done.

Cinderella was a lovely part for Sophie Walker, some poignancy and also fun, musically sound.

Wesley Hughes and Lucy Walker as the Baker and his Wife were strong, and I liked the differing dimensions in their relationship.  I also thought  Lucy’s number with the Prince was extremely amusing and very well acted by Lucy, getting many nuances into the piece.

Emily Woodhouse was a charming and very bright Red Riding Hood, plenty of energy and confidence that contrasted well with the other more grown up characters.

Rapunzel was well-sung by Hollie Jackson, and she reacted well to the Witch’s s-mothering of her!

The other smaller parts and the ensemble all came together well, and I particularly the sound they created in the finale – Children Will Listen.

I liked the little touches – e.g. the pieces of Florinda and Lucinda’s toe and heel being cut off, and their sarcasm too. Elizabeth Shaw, Rachel Bloomfield and Paula Shairp created a good slightly evil trio, who kept their personas the whole way through.

A good, very strong cast who made Sondheim come alive, which was well directed by David Walker, I appreciated the fact that he got a lot of humour from his cast in their various situations, creating a super production and one which, although very much out of their comfort zone, was an excellent evening’s entertainment.

My thanks to Arcadians for their hospitality – I always feel well-looked after and it was nice to meet everyone.

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