Into The Woods

I was very pleased to be asked to stand in for colleague, Mary Titterton, in reviewing this production - the first time I have seen a Croft House show (although their reputation goes far beyond the Sheffield boundary) and it certainly won't be the last.

'Into the Woods' is what you get when a number of Grimm's fairytales collide - the composer, Stephen Sondheim and his collaborator, James Lapine,constructed a neat, rather dark, package and it became an instant hit when first produced on Broadway. For amateur actors, it requires a strong commitment both vocally and in performance and I was extremely impressed with the way this company presented the piece.

The very talented director, Gareth Davies, pulled everything he could from the complicated script and this was matched by an exemplary cast, impossible to name any individual, who drove the pace along with energy and enthusiasm. Movement and dance was sensitively staged by Sally Wragg. Sondheim has been nicknamed the 'marmite' show maker; you love or hate him. As one of his army of fans, I relished every moment and I felt the audience around me were bowled over by the exuberance of the entire production.

The complicated score was handled expertly by the musical Director, Gavin Usher - no mean feat when he and his excellent orchestra were behind the actors on the stage. Every word of dialogue and lyric was easily followed bt the audience, no-one 'drowned out' - well done, sound crew!

Gareth had decided to place the production in the 1940's and use Yorkshire dialect, the first time I had seen the production done this way and I admired that.   The costumes, hair and make-up reflected this and added to the professional look. The set was also very interesting - cut-out, fullsize trees,borders and backcloths, printed with words from the Grimm fairytales - it was minimal, but effective.

No production can be as successful as this without a strong backstage and front-of-house commitment from members - everyone pulling together and producing top quality musical theatre for their audiences.I take off my glass slipper and congratulate the entire company for such an entertaining evening - and wish.... A Happy Ever After!!

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