Let’s travel, [Virtually] Into Regent’s Park to see Into The Woods. This production was streamed on the BroadwayHD platform. This version of Into the Woods was a little bit darker and deeper than the Disney remake. This was a production with a rather interesting set design, detailed costume design and strong character work. “Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods weaves together many famous fairy tales in an allegorical story of family, love, growing up and the hazy areas between right and wrong.” (BroadwayHD.com)
Aesthetics
With such an aesthetic opening scene, and the cross over between a rather graphic story being the products of a childhood game, this production jumped head first into being one of my top 10 favourite musicals.
The aesthetics of this piece are beyond amazing. With characters scrambling through trees, the performance space covered in leaves and the costuming all fitting in with the surroundings, this piece is just lovely to look at. Obviously the child stands out, in a good way, as one of the only characters wearing something not aesthetically matching. Yet even his garments perform their role in the piece well.
I am still completely hooked on the idea to have this all play out through toys. This is socool and yet simple. With the nature of some of the songs, well almost all of them, I would not have thought about making it a child’s game. Eddie Manning, who plays the young Narrator, simply looks like he is having a good time. The convincing behaviour really leads to a juxtaposed stage, with rather grotesque action happening in the fairytales, contrasted with a child playing. But with the opening scene showing his troubling past, this makes complete sense! And the ending is just … amazing! Hats off to Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel, who directed this piece. This was so welldone! I am jealous of every single person in the audience. I can imagine the atmosphere was great and it was so much better in person.
Stand out Stars!
Cinderella, Helen Dillamore, is another stand out with her beautiful acting and vocals. Even the smallest of reactions from Helen were done so with 100% effort and conviction.
Michael Xavier, the wolf, portrayed the creepy character in such a brilliant way. Meant in the nicest way, Michael really did fit into this role well and it led to a really well rounded performance of some rather difficult scenes.
Beverly Rudd, who played Little Red Riding Hood, was another stand out with their comic timing, ease in commanding the audiences attention and constant reacting. Their acting was just so well done and led to a really great performance.
The music for this show was amazing and so clean. Even while being streamed, the sound quality was amazing. Again something I wish I could experience in person. The costumes all looked goregous and the special effects / interactive scenography looked amazing! I am so so jealous of everyone that was able to see this in person!
Quick Summary.
Overall this piece was stunning, from start to finish. With little to want and being given everything that we need, I don’t see how this could have been any better! Honestly, this is amazing and one I would highly recommend watching.
I give this performance five out of five stars! It is simply amazing and so well put together. Everyone should see it, however you can.
Have you seen Into the Woods by Regents Park Open air Theatre? What did you think? Let me know in the comments and let’s get a discussion going.
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