Into the Woods (Dynamik Theatre)

Virtually all of the musicals written by the late, great Stephen Sondheim are complex and have their challenges to bring to the stage, it is therefore to the distinct credit of the cast and production team when any performance feels uncomplicated and entertains to the utmost. Into the Woods is probably one of the greatest complexity, a sublime mix of classic fairy tale stories from Cinderella to Jack and the Beanstalk via Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood and this production from Dynamik Theatre is engaging and enthralling in equal measure. A marvellous atmospheric set, taking advantage of the relatively small dimensions of the stage at the Palace Theatre, Redditch, created by Katie Bonehill, Jake Taylor and Matt Evans coupled with some exemplary direction on stage from Jamie Poxon and in the orchestra pit from Graham Irving deliver something special to the audience.

There are some incredible voices across the cast in what could easily be described as a 'singathon' of a score, there are two however of supreme quality from Annabel Pilcher as Cinderella and Steph Westwood as the Witch both could easily grace a West End Stage.

Paul Stait as the Baker and Deborah Williams as his Wife create some stellar acting interactions as at the core of the story they seek out the items requested by the Witch to enable them to have a child and the story is propelled along at a good pace with the assistance of Mitchell Brown as the Narrator (at least until his external observations are felt no longer required and he is sacrificed to the Giant).

Probably the highlight musical number of the show isn't necessarily the obvious one, 'Agony' performed and reprised with gusto by Ed Blann as Cinderella's Prince and Ben Cuffin-Munday as Rapunzel's Prince has a strange way of lifting the spirits, despite its narrative, it is however run a very close second by Steph Westwood's rendition of 'Last Midnight' as the Witch (by now beautiful but, without any magical powers) makes her final exit.

There is more than a fair share of young talent on display, not least of all Louisa Gould's feisty Little Red and Billy Stait's naive and easily impressed (by a Hen that lays golden eggs and a self-playing harp, stolen from a Giant, so who wouldn't be) Jack. Some great puppetry skills are also displayed (a skill not often brought to the stage and much underrated) by Evan Moss and Jake Miles as Milky White the cow.

Some other performances to watch out for are a second role for Ed Blann, proving his acting talents as a distinctly un-princely Wolf and Gavin Whichello's Mysterious Man, when first he appears you may not understand the reason for the character but, watch on and you will.

Into the Woods is sadly a rarely performed piece and one you shouldn't miss, so since you only have three chances left to immerse yourself in a production that I am sure Sondheim himself would be incredibly proud of, book your tickets while you can, you won't be disappointed.

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