Fairytale characters venture into the woods
There are a few tickets left for the two preview performances which have not been sold to group bookings.
KICKSTART is opening its 2016 Durban programme with a brand-new production of another Stephen Sondheim classic, Into the Woods, which comes to The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on UKZN campus from 15 April until 1 May.
This moody, magical, thought-provoking musical fairytale 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 fairytale 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 and 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, a hugely challenging role, is played with relish and style by Durban’s own delicious diva, Lisa Bobbert.
Frances Currie, now a resident of the UK, plays the indecisive and under-confident Cinderella, with Liesl Coppin as her wicked stepmother. 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 Prince. Rapunzel is played by sweet-voiced Haylea Hounsom and her prince by Nathan Kruger.
Performances are at 7.30pm Tuesday to Saturday, also at 2.30pm on Saturday, and at 6pm on Sunday. Tickets range from R120 to R200. Bookings are through Computicket. For block bookings and exciting early-bird specials, contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places on 083 250 2690 or e-mail editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com.
Note: Despite its fairytale characters, this musical is aimed at adult audiences and is not suitable for young children. The show is rated PG8.
