FOLLOWING the local and national success of Sweeney Todd, KickstArt is opening its 2016 Durban programme with a brand new production of another Stephen Sondheim classic, Into the Woods, which showcases at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at UKZN Howard College campus from Friday,15 April until Sunday, 1 May.
This moody, magical, thought-provoking musical fairy tale 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 fairy-tale 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 an 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 first created by Broadway musical theatre diva Bernadette Peters, and recently played on screen by Meryl Streep, is played with relish and style by Durban’s own delicious diva, Lisa Bobbert.
Frances Currie, now resident in the UK, will come out to play the indecisive and under-confident Cinderella, with Liesl Coppin as her wicked step-mother. 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 and seemingly-charming Prince. Rapunzel is played by sweet-voiced Haylea Hounsom, and her prince by new-comer, Alex Hodges.
Into the Woods is directed by Steven Stead, with musical direction by American musical theatre expert, Drew Rienstra, set design by Greg King, costume designs by Neil Stuart Harris and lighting by Tina le Roux.
Performances start at 7.30pm from Tuesday to Saturday, 2.30pm Saturday and at 6pm on Sunday. Book for all 2016 shows at Computicket, visit www.computicket.co.za. For block bookings and exciting Early Bird specials contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places at editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com, or call 083 250 2690. Ticket range from R120 to R200 for adults and from R100 to R150 for children and pensioners.
Please note that despite its fairytale characters, this musical is aimed at adult audiences, and is not suitable for young children. PG eight years old.
