INTO THE WOODS JR

For my first proper review for Parodos, I was not at all sure how a young cast would cope with the show, as Into the Woods is notoriously difficult.  But I needn’t have worried, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

Sound and lighting were entirely appropriate for the production, with the stage set working well for the cast.  The costumes were great throughout, I was particularly taken with Cinderella’s ball gown, both costumes for the Witch, along with both Rapunzel’s and Cinderella’s Mother’s dresses.  But that said, all the costumes were worn well and looked good.

The whole cast showed good musical ability, and moved well.  Ellie Cobb seemed to suit her choreography to the vehicle, in that the music was key, so she kept everything simple.  Nicely done.

Niamh Tillin (Cinderella) gave a charming but slightly edgy performance, showing both sides of her character, with Callum Bird as Cinderella’s Prince speaking with excellent diction, and right sort of arrogance in his attitude for a Prince.  A good partnership.

Caitlin Greaves was a cute Little Red Riding Hood – very clear speaking, and we loved her scream…it was commented that she should get an award for it!  Caitlin also played the Prince’s steward with aplomb.

It was unfortunate that the girl playing Jack was unwell, but good that Bryony was able to step in.  Isabelle Georgescu played Jack’s mother with firmness, but understanding.

Samuel Hillyard was the Baker, a pivotal role, which he coped with well on the whole, although he was a little soft in places, where I was looking for a little more emphasis.  Katie Osbourne took on the role of the Baker’s Wife with enthusiasm, I enjoyed what she did with the part.

Chloe Ragui, was suitably unpleasant as Cinderella’s Stepmother, with Jessie Cochrane and Isabelle Knight-Downy as Florinda and Lucinda her awful daughters.  They created a good family group.

Iona Dow created an agreeable Rapunzel, but showed the difference in her character when defying the Witch.  Amelia Goring-Farrow was a charming Prince for Rapunzel, much nicer and more caring than Cinderella’s Prince.

Freya Mullen stood out as the Witch, she was commanding, with excellent diction, and the transformation back to a normal person was very nicely achieved.  Freya looked good in both costumes, she sang and acted well too.

The two Narrators, Lilly Anthony and Charlotte Dow, were very different, but both took charge of the narration and made it count – well done.

Daniel Barnish did well with his dual roles of Cinderella’s Father – very upright and uptight and a Mysterious Man, as did Emily-Rose Price as Granny.

Kiera Halfpenny created an elegant, calm Cinderella’s Mother, looking beautiful too, with Sam Tillin as a nicely gory Wolf.

Overall a very creditable production, clear diction, good singing of a difficult score, which I thought was very well done.  The young people took on a difficult vehicle with gusto, and credit to everyone involved.

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