01 Sep 2024
Act4 presents one of Deborah Heath’s Roman Theatre Festival highlights…
We are coming towards the end of the Roman Theatre Festival now and despite attending nearly everything I still haven’t been rained on. However, even if I had been a bit soggy when I saw this production of ‘Into the Woods’ on Wednesday night, I know my spirits would have been high because this show proved to be one of my highpoints of the whole festival.
Stephen Sondheim’s musical which debuted in the 1980s might be familiar to many of you from the film version starring James Cordon but please don’t let that put you off. It boasts a brilliant plot in which many traditional fairy stories and their characters are woven together.
After an hour and a half, the plot winds up beautifully with an expected happy ending and you would be forgiven for going home.
However, there is a second half which takes a very different direction which I will not spoil for you here.
Now, there is a school of thought that Act II is unnecessary, rather like the second half of Wuthering Heights, but I think it elevates the story to being a masterpiece by giving depth and challenge to Act I.
Just be aware that you will be at the theatre for three hours.
David Bottomley and Trevor Hodd’s set design for this production was outstanding.
The backdrop to the stage consisted of about 20 giant book spines of all the main fairy stories. As the natural light faded across the theatre, the titles were lit up beautifully and it really made the action feel like a bedtime story.
The magic was intensified with vines, trees, a beanstalk and Rapunzel’s tower with a large bed centre stage.
These measures, combined with the beauty of our outdoor theatre had the impact of transporting the audience into the woods. To say this is an atmospheric set is an understatement.
Costume design (by Deborah Porton) was also excellent. A particular shout out for Cinderella’s dress which transformed in seconds from rags to riches. I also loved the wolf costume which was basically human with a touch of wolfiness, enabling actor James Droy to move with fluidity.
There is everything you would expect from a fairy story – sequins, big wigs, capes, and a lovely Red Riding Hood. Props were more minimal but that was as it should be. Milky White the cow (created by Phoebe Puppets) was so lovely that I felt genuinely tearful when she and Jack parted but that was mainly due to Zachary Barner’s sympathetic portrayal that made him one of the most engaging actors in the show.
With a cast of nearly 20 I will need to keep things focused on only a few more but overall I was impressed with the skills of all these performers. The Baker, played by Graeme Smith was a believable everyday hero with a correctly understated hold on the audience.
He was an absolute pleasure to watch throughout. A “larger” character, particularly well played was the witch by Laura Darton, who managed the
tricky balance of giving it plenty of gusto whilst not going over the top and certainly cast a spell over us all!
Sarah Putz brought the spoilt brat to Red Riding Hood which worked well. Lovely singing and acting from Fiona Adams as the Baker’s wife and
Holly Macer as Cinderella.
Of the smaller roles, it was James Droy as the wolf who held the most power – physicality and voice were well realised here.
In terms of music, I don’t think this is Sondheim’s best score as it is extremely reparative in style. However, its almost continual presence wasn’t irritating as sometimes happens in a musical when too much dialogue is sung. I was always
clear on what was happening, and the cast sang extremely well indeed so they had obviously been well director by Philip Colman.
There were a few issues with the high sound levels of the piano that I have no doubt would have been resolved for the rest of the run.
Lorraine and David Bottomly (director/producer) of Act4Productions have worked wonders with this show assembling and directing a brilliant cast and creative team to realise an outstanding story. Act I captured the romanticism, hope and child in all of us while Act II gave us something to think about without dashing the magic. Bravo to the company for an absolutely joyous evening.
All photos by Macy Pollington.
