Sondheim classic takes audiences Into the Woods
A moody, magical, thought-provoking musical fairy tale parable for grown-ups will be at Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre this month.
FOLLOWING the local and national success of Sweeney Todd, KickstArt is opening their 2016 Durban programme with a brand new production of another Stephen Sondheim classic, Into the Woods, at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from 15 April until 1 May.
This moody, magical, thought-provoking musical fairy tale parable for grown-ups has long been on director Steven Stead’s wish-list, and now he and his creative collaborator, Greg King are realising a dream – to bring the first ever professional production to Durban.
Into the Woods is a modern twist on several of the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the familiar plots of a few iconic stories and exploring the possible consequences of the characters' wishes and dreams. It follows the trials and adventures of a collection of well-known fairy-tale characters, including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood. They all go into the deep, dark woods on separate quests, and their paths cross and intersect with sometimes amusing, sometimes alarming results.
KickstArt has assembled an all-star cast for this important production: Bryan Hiles and Jessica Sole play the central characters of the Baker and his wife, who have to collect a series of magical objects over three nights in order to dispel the curse of the eccentric next-door-neighbour witch and have a child of their own. The Witch is played with relish and style by Durban’s own diva, Lisa Bobbert.
Frances Currie, now resident in the UK, is coming out to play the indecisive and under-confident Cinderella, with Liesl Coppin as her wicked step-mother. Graeme Wicks plays hapless, dreamy jack, with Marion Loudon as his exasperated, ever-practical mother. Little Red Riding Hood is played by Katy Moore, and her nemesis, the sweet-talking, always-lurking Wolf, is played by Lyle Buxton, who also plays Cinderella’s handsome and seemingly-charming Prince. Rapunzel is played by sweet-voiced Haylea Hounsom, and her prince by exciting new-comer, Alex Hodges.
Performances are at 7.30pm Tuesday to Saturday, 2.30pm on Saturday, and 6pm on Sunday.
Ticket prices are R200, R150 or R120 for adults and R150, R120 and R100 for children and pensioners.
Book for all 2016 shows at Computicket: www.computicket.co.za. For block bookings and early bird specials contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places: editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com, or 083 250 2690.
Despite its fairytale characters, this musical is aimed at adult audiences, and is not suitable for young children. PG eight years old.
