Review: 'Into the Woods'

by Laura Stratford,

Before reading our review have a listen to our preview of the production here.

Let’s be honest, Sondheim isn’t the easiest of composers to perform, with those chromatic scales and nuances in rhythm and harmony. However, Central Hall Musical Society doesn’t fail to please in this impressive production, with a talented cast of singers.

As trivial it may seem, I was very excited to see the large tree that was professed to have been squashed into Central Hall in Alice in Wonderland fashion, but I was disappointed to find pieces of cloth draped over some scaffolding. Nag over, my tree obsession was put aside as soon as the first act begun, where we were introduced by the Narrator to a vast spectrum of well-known fairytale characters; Cinderella, the ugly sisters and stepmother, Red Riding Hood, Jack the Giant Killer and his cow, Milky White, the Baker, the Witch and more. Before we knew it, the cast were belting out the infectious title song, making use of all the space on stage with their catchy choreography.

Whether it was the lack of dramatic lighting from the first instance the cast appear on stage or opening-night nerves, Act One seemed to be the warm-up to Act Two. Nevertheless, it was an exciting one, where we had the chance to relive infamous moments in fairytale history, such as Little Red Riding Hood bumping into the big, bad wolf, and Rapunzel throwing down her golden hair, singing out golden melodies, whilst backlit with a, quite literally, blinding light. Particular mention has to go out to the adorable puppetry of Milky White, the hilarious duo of the charming Princes, the painstakingly repetitive Mystery Man and the terrifying Witch. At the end of Act One, there are so many happily ever afters, you’re tricked into thinking you’ve seen the show, but there’s a whole lot more.

Act Two is, frankly, carnage. Not to give too much of the show away, it becomes a fight for survival as the Giantess threatens to slay anyone in revenge for her husband’s death. It’s ironic how as the plots develops into something more sinister, the harmonies are more and more beautiful, finally giving the talented singers a chance to shine. Highlights were the Baker (Alex Wilson), his wife (Jenny Sterling), the Witch (Emilie Smith), the two Princes (Tristan Landymore & Ali Phillips), Cinderella (Amy Walsh), Red Riding Hood (Bethan Williams), Jack (Louis Lunts) and Mystery Man (Luke de Belder). It’s just a shame that all the cast were miked up, when the strength of their voices didn’t need amplifying, but instead you got the occasional distraction of rustling costume.

Apart from the little technical hinges, this really is a fab production with a very impressive cast behind it. For someone who’s never seen a Sondheim musical before, I was definitely pleasantly surprised, and even more surprised to find myself singing ‘Into The Woods’ on the way home. Beware, that tune’s contagious!

Look out for our full audio review this Sunday at 2 on YorWorld!