Brisbane review: Magical and Artistic Step into the Woods

By Lilian Harrington

Production: Into The Woods

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim

Writer: James Lapine

Orchestration: Jonathan Tunick

Company: Ad Astra

Director: Tim Hill   

Musical Direction: Ben Murray

Location: AD ASTRA 210 Petrie Tce.

Season: 24 September – 18 October, 8 p.m.

Bookings: Try booking

AD ASTRA has returned to Brisbane’s theatre scene with a flourish and a positivity, that makes an impact and has an influence on the local performing arts scene with its opening production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical, Into the Woods, now in their beautifully refurbished and restyled Galaxy Theatre at Petrie Terrace, (previously the home of Brisbane Arts Theatre), bringing a new energy and magical vibe to fuel the local theatre scene.

Under the direction of freelance director, Queenslander, Tim Hill, he has revived one of Stephen Sondheim’s most popular musical classics and made it into a great show. Hill sees it as a show that is a timely revival in challenging times for theatre because it brings magic to so many people.

While it is not for the faint hearted Hill confidently took on the fears of this initial production in the new premises and the responsibility of making it happen effectively, and as in life people make mistakes and ….’witches can be right or witches can be wrong  and giants can be good too” ….the cast of talented actors and singers play the key characters from the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales, all intertwine, and all venture into the woods with some naivety, adventure and fear. From Cinderella, Rapunzel and Red Riding Hood, to Jack and the Beanstalk, and others the audience will recognize.

Under the brilliant Musical Direction of Ben Murray, the production is set to music and sung beautifully with passion and sincerity by the thoughtfully costumed cast. They delivered this rather long musical which starts with the narrator saying: “Once upon a time …there lived a young maiden, a sad young lad, a childless baker and his wife,…a grown up audience will understand the betrayal and lechery that also exists …all told through dance, song and comedic interaction, in a timely presentation that included a live orchestra on stage, and a well-designed set, which catered for different levels and entrances and worked effectively; it adapted to make the scene changes happen smoothly, along with clever lighting and sound effects(Caitlin Scott SM).  

The experienced cast showed a diversity in their characterization; While some assumptions could be made about each character quite quickly, others had a shorter time to build up the connection needed with the audience but, overall, they all worked effectively.

Leads included: Stephen Hirst (Baker) who showed versatility, depth and charisma as a husband and father and gave support to others in the woods. Heidi Enchelmaier (Bakers Wife) who showed confidence and versatility in her role and vocals. Deserving a special mention were: Natasha Veselinovic (Witch), Jordan Malone (Cinderella) and Alex Watson (Jack). Their impressive vocals showed strength and gave momentum to the production especially Jordan Malone’s performance of “No One is Alone”.

Overall, the strong vocals gave the production momentum, pace and energy, which balanced well with the comic relief from the two princes, (Elliot Baker and Jaya), along with other contrasting and solemn moments which kept the audience interested and curious.

Into The Woods is rather a long musical, but it was performed with pace and vigor and along with the comfortably designed Galaxy auditorium, the audience could escape for a while into a magical storyland and enjoy the artistry of the presentation.