Curve Theatre Leicester – until 7th June 2025
Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh
4****
Into the Woods, is a 1986 musical created by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. It takes four famous fairytales from the Brothers Grimm and intertwines them in an unexpected and entertaining fashion. Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella and Rapunzel have their stories told from a different angle, using a childless couple, the Baker and his wife, to tie the tales together. The Baker and his wife must break a spell in order for them to have a child. To do this they must bring a Witch four objects: a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn and a slipper as pure as gold. In other words, they must intervene in all four fairytales to achieve their mission. Everyone is looking to find their happy ever after, but is it all that it’s cracked up to be?
This rendition of Into the Woods is performed by the Leicester Amateur Operatic Society, but there is nothing amateur about it. The vocals and performances are outstanding, the production values are sensational, and the passion is palpable. Director Russell Carrington has triumphed with pulling off this difficult to stage musical, along with musical director Jonathan Jarvis and choreographer Hollie Carrington, the show flows beautifully. With so much going on in every scene due to multiple stories playing out at once, it could be easy to become confused, but here it’s wonderfully balanced, with moments of stillness and clever spotlighting by David Hately. The 6-strong Orchestra played Sondheim’s stunning score with flair, enhancing the enchanting vocals and Carrington’s charming choreography.
The cast give a fantastic ensemble performance. Every one of them come together to give their all to the show. The Bakers’, Lisa Barnes and Dan Rowberry give a performance both comic and poignant in their quest to have a baby, singing and performing to perfection. Jacqueline Ardron’s growth as Little Red was interesting to watch. Softly spoken and sung at the beginning, she sparkled as her courage grew, connecting marvellously with Freddie Parkins as Jack. Ed Turner and Dan Brewer as Cinderella and Rapunzel’s Prince’s, respectively, are joyous in their buffoonery. Their ‘Agony’ duet full of self-pity, and self-absorbed woe is a comedy hit. The Woodland Nymphs, Jessica Clarke, AJ Collins, Georgia Eyres, Natalie Mee, Tasha Plummer and
Becki Smargiassi work tirelessly to add much to the production. They are highly effective at enhancing scenes, becoming birds, beds, bushes, anything wood like you can imagine. Natasha Ann Carr as Cinderella is terrific. Combining physical comedy in her many slips and trips over her slippers with her amazing vocals is quite the feat. Rapunzel is quite a small role, but Grace Bale’s voice is mighty. Her clarity and range are astounding. Packing a powerful punch, the emotion she brings to the role is fantastic. Her scenes with the Witch blew me away. The Witch left me speechless. Charlotte Emily Beaver embodies the role completely, from the hunched walk to the cackling laugh she is every inch the Witch. Commanding the stage, singing with power, precision and poise, she had the audience mesmerised with a myriad of emotions. Milky White the cow is a puppet maneuvered much like in performances such as Life of Pi. She is a majestic beast, and Hollie Carrington does a magnificent job bringing her to life.
This is a thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable presentation of Into the Woods. There is so much hard work and dedication that has gone into this show and the proof of this is in the sublime production and sensational performances. I wish you could all see this for yourselves…I wish…