Into the Woods

This report reviews In Your Face Theatre Seaham’s (IYFTS)recent production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s renowned musical, “Into the Woods”. Not only did this production deliver a captivating retelling of beloved fairy tales, but it also set a new standard for excellence in local theatrical performance.

“Into the Woods” is an ambitious musical, demanding not only vocal and dramatic prowess but also creative vision and technical expertise. IYFTS rose to the challenge with a production that was both innovative, unique and emotionally engaging. The performance was met with enthusiasm from the audience, who were treated to a seamless fusion of music, storytelling, and striking visual presentation.

The exceptionally strong cast displayed remarkable cohesion and energy throughout, each member embracing their role with conviction and skill. Special note must be made of the incredible performance by Kendra Roberts in the role of the Witch. Kendra brought extraordinary depth and nuance to a character that is central to the plot’s twists and emotional resonance. Her ability to shift between menace, vulnerability, and dark humour was particularly impressive, with her vocal delivery providing many of the production’s standout moments. 

All other principal performers also deserve commendation for their strong characterisations and vocal abilities. The Baker and Baker’s Wife played by Jake Marshall and Stephanie Christie, both stunning vocalists in their own right, demonstrated palpable chemistry, while the portrayals of Cinderella by Sarah Ketchin, Jack by Orie Coulton-Goodwin, and Little Red Riding Hood by Billie Kay were engaging and true to the spirit of the piece. The cast’s commitment to their roles ensured that the intertwining narratives remained clear and compelling.  Melanie Hill as the Stepmother, Rachael Riches as Florinda and Faye Rodgerson as Lucinda were hilarious, gorgeous and brilliant in their delivery and worked so well together.  The beautiful Jade Carney as Jack’s mother had a beautiful soft delivery with a humorous edge and Jade Cadson as Rapunzel gave us crystal clear vocals in her interludes.  The versatile Ian Patterson gave a suitably creepy Wolf and dashing Cinderella’s Prince and Karl Smith portrayal of Rapunzel’s prince was excellent.  Norma Ord in typical hilarious fashion made a brilliant Granny with Paul Henry playing the Steward very well.  Huge credit to Dan Riches again for pushing himself and his performance as The Mysterious Man which really gave a layer of depth to the mystery of the piece.

Huge credit to the super talented Charlie Younger not only playing the role of Milky White/The Giant but who made an interactive cow puppet for the piece which really was on par with the puppetry of the likes of War Horse.  Milky then came to life as a character and you were captivated by it’s expression and dynamic delivery, really well done Charlie.  It was also nice to see Eggy Brown making their stage debut.

The staging of “Into the Woods” was both imaginative and effective, making excellent use of the available space.  The Town Hall at Seaham is a notoriously difficult venue to stage anything in with low ceilings, a not really for purpose space but the production team rose to the challenge using an interactive moveable set, creating space for the various spaces and woods to be created really well.  Scene transitions were executed with fluidity, aided by cleverly designed sets, well-orchestrated lighting from Paul Oliver of POSS Productions and the inventive thought of Jade-Leigh Hewitt as director who also played the Narrator and cleverly immersed the interactive storytelling with scene changes.  I loved the Narrator having their little study with a lamp in which the story was being read, really clever. The Woods, a central motif in the musical, was brought to life through atmospheric visual pieces and lighting effects that enhanced the magical and sometimes foreboding tone of the story.

Costume design was thoughtful and true to the characters, adding colour and vibrancy to the overall aesthetic. The attention to detail in props and set dressing contributed greatly to the immersive experience. The sound team of Duncan Baxter of East Durham audio ensured that Sondheim’s challenging score was delivered with clarity and levels were perfect throughout the performance.

Direction was assured and purposeful, keeping the pacing tight and the storytelling focused. The director’s vision was clear throughout, with inventive staging choices and a keen understanding of the musical’s dark humour and emotional complexity which was teased out beautifully and purposely from the characters. The musical direction by Jenni Watson was of a similarly high standard, drawing strong performances from singers in a very complex score. Harmonies were well-balanced, and the numbers were delivered with confidence and vigour.  “Your Fault” is notoriously difficult to learn for timing and it as delivered immaculately, and “No One is Alone” was absolutely gorgeous.

In conclusion, IYFTS  production of “Into the Woods” was an outstanding achievement in all respects. The company is to be congratulated for their professional approach and dedication to excellence. In particular, Kendra’s portrayal of the Witch deserves special recognition, standing out as a highlight in an already exemplary show. This performance will surely be remembered as a benchmark for future productions within the local theatre community.

On behalf of NODA, congratulations to all involved in delivering such a impeccable, memorable and accomplished production.

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