Into The Woods Jr

Into the Woods Jr. by LEOS Youth Group

LEOS Youth Group’s latest production, Into the Woods Jr., brought a fairytale world to life. This ambitious musical intertwines stories like Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel, all under the central thread of a Baker and his Wife trying to reverse a curse. With strong direction and a deeply committed young cast, the production proved to be a huge success.

Ivan Hager, as the Baker, delivered a sincere and grounded performance, working beautifully in tandem with Maddi Woodland as the Baker’s Wife. Their duet, It Takes Two, was a musical highlight with beautiful harmonies.

Jess Chatten’s portrayal of the Witch was particularly memorable, her rendition of Stay With Me in Act 2 was a show stopper, powerful and rich with emotion showing the character's vulnerability as well as her magical strength.

Harrison Ramplin, as Jack, gave a performance that grew in confidence and presence throughout the show. His version of Giants in the Sky was met with great applause, resonating strongly with the audience. Emily Jones played Jack’s mother with warmth and believability, while Bethany Stockdale made a delightful impression as Milky White, using expressive movement and facial expressions to great effect. She also portrayed Cinderella’s mother with grace, showcasing her versatility.

Libby Stockdale brought infectious energy to the role of Little Red Riding Hood. Her comic timing and vocal confidence made her a joy to watch. Tom Lightbown was impressive as the Wolf, fully embodying the character’s eerie charm. Flori Tasker played the Granny well.

The princely duo was one of the standout elements of the production. Findlay Parker (Rapunzel’s Prince) and Nathan Crookdake (Cinderella’s Prince) both wonderfully animated, with exaggerated mannerisms and a comedic flair that lit up the stage. Their rendition of Agony was not only the comedic high point of the show but also one of the strongest musical numbers, with impressive harmony and excellent chemistry. The reprise was a welcome treat, thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.

Neve Johnson gave a lovely performance as Rapunzel, singing beautifully and working well alongside her Prince. Roisin Parker as Cinderella delivered a charming performance, with On The Steps of the Palace performed with clarity and feeling. Finlay Tomlinson, Beth Dooley-Roberts, Eliza Garavan, and Lucy Gordon played Cinderella’s family, I particularly enjoyed the end scene when they were trying on the slipper.

Stevie Kirkham played the Mysterious Man well, appearing from different entrances and adding an air of unpredictability and intrigue to the performance.

Narration was shared among several cast members, including Alice Whitaker, delivering a beautiful vocal at the start of the Finale, Niamh Syson, Sophie Atkinson, Owain Jones, and Finn Cliff. When one narrator, Emily Dexter, was taken ill on opening night Quillen Parker stepped up to cover her lines in addition to his role as the Steward, a testament to the professionalism and adaptability of this talented cast. We wish Emily a speedy recovery.

The creative team deserve high praise. Siobhan Parker directed with clarity and purpose, allowing each story thread to shine. Choreography by Eleanor Carty, was clean and effective, while musical director Shannon O’Donnell, in her debut with LEOS Youth Group, drew out a fantastic sound from these young performers. The team ensured that every performer had their moment during this production.

Technically, the show was impressive. Costumes were consistently well thought out, visually pleasing and showed off each character well. The lighting, designed by Stephen Greatorex, added depth and mood to each scene and the sound team, Dave Dallard and Jack Clark, ensured clear audio throughout.

Becky Kirkham was not only assistant musical director but was also the props manager from Milky White’s puppet to the magical items required for the spell she did an excellent job. Stage Manager Katie Bird ensured the show ran smoothly from start to finish, seamless scene changes.

Special mention must be made of the set construction by Roydon Charlesworth, Katie Bird and Becky Kirkham. Rather than relying on digital projections, the production made excellent use of traditional backdrops and flats, which created a fairytale world. Rapunzel’s tower was particularly striking, and the bed in Granny’s house worked well.

The production also offered a well-designed show programme that was well worth the cost, a lovely keepsake for the audience. We were sorry to read in the programme that Izzy Pickering was unable to perform in this production, and we wish her a swift and full recovery. It was especially moving to see the group raising money during the run for Young Lives vs Cancer, the charity that is supporting Izzy and her family.

LEOS Youth Group’s Into the Woods Jr. was a polished production that gave every cast member a moment to shine. It was a wonderful reminder of why community youth theatre is so important and so magical.

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