Stephen Sondheim's timeless masterwork "Into the Woods" was expertly reimagined by director Jordan Fein, bringing this intricate and imaginative tale of beloved fairytales to life. From its opening moments, the production dazzled with a clever script that deftly weaves together an array of interconnected storylines.
Fein's keen eye for pacing ensured a swift yet engaging start, effortlessly gliding through some of the early songs before seamlessly transitioning into picaresque fun. The Baker (Jamie Parker) and his wife (Katie Brayben), who find themselves cursed by a wicked witch for the sins of his father, embark on an audacious quest to gather Cinderella's glass slipper, Rapunzel's golden locks, Little Red Ridinghood's cape, and Jack's prized cow. The stakes are high, the humor is biting, and the emotional resonance is palpable.
The production's greatest strength lies in its cast of talented performers, each bringing a wealth of charm to their respective roles. Kate Fleetwood shines as the iconic Witch, effortlessly oscillating between comical malevolence and heartbreaking pathos. Oliver Savile delivers a delightfully theatrical turn as the Wolf, channeling David Niven's wit and charm with glee.
Chumisa Dornford-May steals the show as Cinderella, imbuing her character with a poignant longing for a simpler time. The chemistry between Rhys Whitfield and his co-star is undeniable, particularly in their standout duet "Agony." Gracie McGonigal shines as Red Ridinghood, exuding an unbridled confidence that's both thrilling to watch and heartbreakingly familiar.
Musically, the cast delivers a phenomenal performance, tackling even the most challenging notes with precision and poise. From the operatic grandeur of "Children Will Listen" to the wry humor of "Your Fault," each performer finds a moment to shine, elevating the show to an unforgettable experience.
Fein's production design is nothing short of breathtaking, conjuring a living picture-book of woodland wonder and darkness. Tom Scutt's set and costume work are masterful, imbuing the characters with a lived-in humanity that deftly avoids any hint of pantomime. The addition of subtle sound effects and lighting creates an immersive atmosphere, drawing the audience into this fantastical world.
Ultimately, "Into the Woods" is less a Christmas show or panto than a deeply human exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of family dynamics. This production has none of the broadness or festive spirit of its holiday counterparts but instead offers a quietly powerful meditation on the nature of relationships and the power of the human spirit.
Through its masterful blend of music, drama, and design, "Into the Woods" is an unforgettable theatrical experience that will captivate audiences at Bridge Theatre in London until May 30th.
Fein's keen eye for pacing ensured a swift yet engaging start, effortlessly gliding through some of the early songs before seamlessly transitioning into picaresque fun. The Baker (Jamie Parker) and his wife (Katie Brayben), who find themselves cursed by a wicked witch for the sins of his father, embark on an audacious quest to gather Cinderella's glass slipper, Rapunzel's golden locks, Little Red Ridinghood's cape, and Jack's prized cow. The stakes are high, the humor is biting, and the emotional resonance is palpable.
The production's greatest strength lies in its cast of talented performers, each bringing a wealth of charm to their respective roles. Kate Fleetwood shines as the iconic Witch, effortlessly oscillating between comical malevolence and heartbreaking pathos. Oliver Savile delivers a delightfully theatrical turn as the Wolf, channeling David Niven's wit and charm with glee.
Chumisa Dornford-May steals the show as Cinderella, imbuing her character with a poignant longing for a simpler time. The chemistry between Rhys Whitfield and his co-star is undeniable, particularly in their standout duet "Agony." Gracie McGonigal shines as Red Ridinghood, exuding an unbridled confidence that's both thrilling to watch and heartbreakingly familiar.
Musically, the cast delivers a phenomenal performance, tackling even the most challenging notes with precision and poise. From the operatic grandeur of "Children Will Listen" to the wry humor of "Your Fault," each performer finds a moment to shine, elevating the show to an unforgettable experience.
Fein's production design is nothing short of breathtaking, conjuring a living picture-book of woodland wonder and darkness. Tom Scutt's set and costume work are masterful, imbuing the characters with a lived-in humanity that deftly avoids any hint of pantomime. The addition of subtle sound effects and lighting creates an immersive atmosphere, drawing the audience into this fantastical world.
Ultimately, "Into the Woods" is less a Christmas show or panto than a deeply human exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of family dynamics. This production has none of the broadness or festive spirit of its holiday counterparts but instead offers a quietly powerful meditation on the nature of relationships and the power of the human spirit.
Through its masterful blend of music, drama, and design, "Into the Woods" is an unforgettable theatrical experience that will captivate audiences at Bridge Theatre in London until May 30th.
I gotta say, this reimagined production of Into the Woods looks 
! The cast seems super talented, especially Chumisa Dornford-May as Cinderella - she totally steals the show 
. And Jamie Parker's performance as the Baker is so endearing, you can't help but root for him and his wife 
.
. It feels like they're trying to pack too many ideas into one production, which might make it hard to fully appreciate each storyline individually 
. But overall, this sounds like an incredible show that will be hard to miss - and with all the talented performers on board, I'm excited to see how they bring this complex tale to life 
Another theatre production to look forward to being cancelled due to lack of funding 
. With all the talented performers involved, it's a shame they won't be able to bring this magical world to life for its intended run 
. The cast's chemistry is undeniable, but what about their futures now? 
Will they still get the recognition they deserve or will their careers be impacted by the cancellation 
?
is giving me LIFE. and chumisa dornford-May as cinderella is literally my soulmate 
she brings so much depth to her character it's like u can feel her pain. and that chemistry between rhys whitfield and his co-star is EVERYTHING 
just saw this review for Into the Woods production and i gotta say it sounds AMAZING!!! 
i mean, Kate Fleetwood as the Witch? 
Gracie McGonigal as Red Ridinghood? 
chumisa Dornford-May as Cinderella? 
this show is not just for kids anymore, its a beautifully crafted story about love, loss and family that will make you feel all the feels 
I'm totally obsessed with this reimagined production of Into the Woods 
. And can we talk about that cast?! 
Jamie Parker and Katie Brayben as the baker and his wife are absolute perfection, so endearing in their struggles 
. Kate Fleetwood's Witch is seriously giving me life - that girl's got range! 
. And that set design? Wow! It's like stepping into a living picture-book 
. The way they bring those characters to life without any pantomime or broadness is just masterful 
, especially Kate Fleetwood as the iconic Witch 
and heartbreaking at the same time. And can we talk about that chemistry between Rhys Whitfield and his co-star? 
... it's like they say, "the woods are lovely, dark and deep"... 
and Chumisa Dornford-May as Cinderella is absolutely stunning 
We drove for hours through the countryside and stopped at this crazy cute little diner that served the best milkshakes ever 
The owner was so nice, we ended up chatting with her for like 20 minutes 
And you know what's wild? I just learned how to make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich 
It's all about the butter, guys...
and it's literally the most relatable thing ever! Like, I was expecting a review of Into the Woods but then this adorable cat starts playing and I'm totally here for it 
Anyway, back to Into the Woods... I loved the cast's performances, especially Kate Fleetwood as the Witch 
. She's so talented and her voice is just wow! 
gracie mcgonigal as red ridinghood was also amazing 
. Is this really the best we can do in terms of theatre right now? I'm not hating or anything, I just think there's more to life than a bunch of old fairytales rehashed into a show 
The way they've woven together all those fairy tale storylines is pure genius. And the cast? Absolutely phenomenal, if you ask me! 
Oliver Savile's Wolf had me giggling out loud, and Kate Fleetwood's Witch? Absolutely wicked! 
. And can we talk about the Wolf? Oliver Savile's performance is everything, I'm dying over here 
. The cast is pure fire, especially Kate Fleetwood as the Witch - her range was insane 
. I'm also loving the way they incorporated sound effects and lighting into the set design... it made me feel like I was transported to a real-life fairy tale 