It is not often that I am presented with a show that makes it difficult for me to complete a review, but the Little Theatre Company's version of Into the Woods has definitely presented me with a challenge.
Not because the show was not enjoyable, but because it was so good, I found it difficult to write a review that didn't appear biased!
Into the Woods is a challenging show to put on, not only because of Sondheim's intricate and interwoven melodies, rhythms and motifs, but also because of the 2014 film with such an iconic cast and amazing performances. However LTC rose to the challenge, achieved a memorable performance and blew my expectations out of the woods!
To pick out any one of the cast above any other would be a disservice, as each and every member of the cast was excellent in their individual roles throughout the whole show. However it would also be a disservice if I did not try.
Jamie Redgate and Victoria Tewes as the Baker and the Baker's Wife, were strong central characters, interacting excellently between each other and other cast members. Sarah Pettican had the unenviable job of filling the shoes most recently worn by Meryl Streep, and she did so very well. Her Witch was spellbinding to watch and listen to, in both guises. Tobias Smith as the simpleminded and innocent Jack, played the role excellently. His version of Giant's in the Sky, was sung excellently with great emotion. Louisa Stratchan's Cinderella was captivating to watch. Both when in rags playing against her step family, all of whom played their roles with excellent comedic timing, and when being a princess. Simon Bristoe, playing the dual roles of the Wolf and Cinderella's Prince, did so with great enthusiasm. As the Wolf he was beguiling and mesmerising, and as the Prince he was ridiculously hysterical with his foppish ways.
As mentioned earlier, I could go on and easily pick out excellent performances from each and every member of the cast, which one would expect with LTC.
If I was to pick holes in anything with the performance, and this is being extraordinarily picky, would be that the cast did tend to take their cues, quite obviously at times, from the conductor, Clare Penfold, who did an amazing job not only conducting but also mouthing the majority of the lyrics throughout the show. Also at the very start I was not totally convinced by the immediate look of the scenery, however very soon, as the stories unfolded, the simple looking trees at the very front of the stage did not stand out as the general feel of the staging blended into the scenery.
Into the Woods is a difficult show to perform, but LTC managed to put on a show that not only matched my expectations, but went above and beyond, providing with an excellent evenings entertainment.
LTC's next production is Legally Blonde the Musical, performing at Southend's Palace Theatre in April 2016.
Not because the show was not enjoyable, but because it was so good, I found it difficult to write a review that didn't appear biased!
Into the Woods is a challenging show to put on, not only because of Sondheim's intricate and interwoven melodies, rhythms and motifs, but also because of the 2014 film with such an iconic cast and amazing performances. However LTC rose to the challenge, achieved a memorable performance and blew my expectations out of the woods!
To pick out any one of the cast above any other would be a disservice, as each and every member of the cast was excellent in their individual roles throughout the whole show. However it would also be a disservice if I did not try.
Jamie Redgate and Victoria Tewes as the Baker and the Baker's Wife, were strong central characters, interacting excellently between each other and other cast members. Sarah Pettican had the unenviable job of filling the shoes most recently worn by Meryl Streep, and she did so very well. Her Witch was spellbinding to watch and listen to, in both guises. Tobias Smith as the simpleminded and innocent Jack, played the role excellently. His version of Giant's in the Sky, was sung excellently with great emotion. Louisa Stratchan's Cinderella was captivating to watch. Both when in rags playing against her step family, all of whom played their roles with excellent comedic timing, and when being a princess. Simon Bristoe, playing the dual roles of the Wolf and Cinderella's Prince, did so with great enthusiasm. As the Wolf he was beguiling and mesmerising, and as the Prince he was ridiculously hysterical with his foppish ways.
As mentioned earlier, I could go on and easily pick out excellent performances from each and every member of the cast, which one would expect with LTC.
If I was to pick holes in anything with the performance, and this is being extraordinarily picky, would be that the cast did tend to take their cues, quite obviously at times, from the conductor, Clare Penfold, who did an amazing job not only conducting but also mouthing the majority of the lyrics throughout the show. Also at the very start I was not totally convinced by the immediate look of the scenery, however very soon, as the stories unfolded, the simple looking trees at the very front of the stage did not stand out as the general feel of the staging blended into the scenery.
Into the Woods is a difficult show to perform, but LTC managed to put on a show that not only matched my expectations, but went above and beyond, providing with an excellent evenings entertainment.
LTC's next production is Legally Blonde the Musical, performing at Southend's Palace Theatre in April 2016.