Into the Woods

Taunton Amateur Operatic Society

‘Into The Woods’ Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

After my visit to see your production of ‘CATS’ at the Brewhouse earlier this year I was really looking forward to seeing this production, a different offering in a different venue. Illustrating that TAOS are certainly experiencing a very creative period with new challenges and a willingness to try shows that are exciting for their members and audiences alike. Very refreshing in the current amateur theatre world.

The Space is certainly a great venue and I hope it won’t be the last time you adapt to this performance area as this production worked so incredibly well. The open set was a delight I loved it. The ‘wood’ was inspirational, the dark areas, entrances and exits, different performing levels and the whole mysterious atmosphere it presented was a visual delight and worked as a perfect backdrop for what we were about to enjoy. My only slight niggle was the very obvious smoke machine on the centre raised area, which did stick out somewhat and perhaps could have been a little more disguised but it was probably just because my position in the audience put me on a direct sight line with it that it bothered me a little.

Once into the show it was very apparent that this was a very well-rehearsed piece of theatre. Using your onstage team to move items on and off added to the whole seamless flow of the whole piece. Nothing was clunky or labored and the use of the backing music was extremely well timed and I didn’t notice any problems with timing from the cast. Commendable.

Visually the delight of the set was enhanced by costume, make up and props, which, when intertwined with extremely inventive additions of the Wolf’s clothing, grandma’s bed and a myriad of other innovative things added to the great flow and pace of the whole piece. I have to make special mention of ‘Milky White’– beautifully constructed and operated, a joy to see puppetry used so skillfully and successfully. Thank you

Lighting, for me worked well. The shadowy feel was just as a deep dark forest should be and I enjoyed looking into the depths to see what character was emerging next and from what entrance. Sound was set at a comfortable level but occasionally individual voices were a little over projected and became a little too strong for the intimacy of the venue and diction and breath needed refining.

Characters need light and dark within their performances both vocally and physically and there were one or two occasions when less would have been more. But that being said all characters were well drawn and believeable. It was also really pleasing to see a contrasting cast with mixed levels of age and experience working together well. Your more seasoned performers all gave great depth to their characterisations both vocally and physically from which I am sure your younger members, who also showed considerable prowess, were able to learn a great deal to help them refine and craft future roles just as successfully in future productions.

Overall, I found this to be a production of the very highest standard and I was completely engrossed throughout the evening. Which, to me was a real demonstration of amateur theatre at its very best.

Thank you very much team TAOS for a thoroughly enjoyable evening and for your hospitality. I look forward to your future productions.

Jane Burt

District 8a Representative

NODA Southwest

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