Into the Woods review – Brothers Grimm gloriously mashed up by Sondheim

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's timeless tale of the Brothers Grimm has been skillfully woven into a masterpiece of imagination and music in Jordan Fein's production of "Into the Woods." This captivating show is more than just a fairytale mashup, as it delves into the complexities of family dynamics, regret, and the darker aspects of human nature.

The production begins with a swift and energetic pace, hurtling through early songs that set the tone for the rest of the performance. As the story unfolds, however, the show gains depth and emotional resonance, revealing the intricate web of relationships between the characters. The Baker (Jamie Parker) and his wife (Katie Brayben), who are cursed by a witch for the sins of their father, embark on a perilous journey to gather a series of magical objects – Cinderella's shoe, Rapunzel's golden hair, Red Ridinghood's coat, and the cow that belongs to Jack (of the beanstalk) – in order to break the curse.

The cast delivers outstanding performances, bringing charm and nuance to their characters. The Witch (Kate Fleetwood), with her comically evil yet tragically wronged persona, stands out as a masterclass in acting. The two princes, played by Oliver Savile and Rhys Whitfield, bring an operatic level of melodrama to their roles, while the Baker's wife is portrayed with sensitivity and vulnerability.

The set design by Tom Scutt is a work of art, transforming from a dark and ominous backdrop into a vibrant woodland setting that is both fantastical and unsettling. The costumes, largely medieval in style, add to the show's sense of realism and depth, making it feel like the characters are truly living in their own world.

One of the standout aspects of "Into the Woods" is its ability to balance levity and emotional darkness. As the story progresses, regret, blame, and betrayal come to the forefront, and the cast tackles these complex emotions with skill and sensitivity. The show's musical numbers are equally impressive, featuring a range of difficult and dissonant notes that showcase the performers' technical prowess.

Ultimately, "Into the Woods" is a production that will leave you pondering its themes long after the curtain falls. It's not a traditional fairytale, but rather a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition – one that finds wonder and magic in even the darkest of places. With its talented cast, stunning set design, and Sondheim's unforgettable music, this show is an absolute must-see for anyone who loves theatre.

"Into the Woods" is currently playing at the Bridge Theatre in London until May 30th. Don't miss your chance to experience this masterpiece of imagination and music.

idk about this "masterpiece"...i mean, have you seen it? its like they took all these classic fairytales and mashed them together into this...this weird story . i dont know if im just not feeling it or what but somethin about the baker and his wife feels off . and the witch is way too over-the-top for me , cant she just be a little more subtle? like, i get her character is supposed to be evil and all but ugh, its like shes tryin to outdo herself .

and dont even get me started on the music . its like stephen sondheim took every song he could think of and just...dropped them all in there . i mean, some of it is okay, i guess , but other times im like wth is this for? . but hey, maybe id be wrong , have you seen the set design or anythin? that does sound kinda cool .

A bunch of people walking into a forest, what's not to love? [A GIF of a smiling face with cartoonish trees and flowers]

OMG u guys!!!! "Into the Woods" is literally the BEST show I've ever seen!!! The cast is AMAZING!!! Jamie Parker as the Baker is soooo good and Katie Brayben's vocals give me LIFE . Kate Fleetwood as the Witch is EVERYTHING , she's so dark and twisted but still kinda sad? And don't even get me started on the set design it's like they took a slice of our dreams and put it on stage!!! The music is just pure PERFECTION I'm literally singing "No One Is Alone" in my head all day long . If u haven't seen this show yet, WHAT ARE U WAITING FOR? Book ur tickets NOW!!!

I'm thoroughly enthralled by Jordan Fein's masterful adaptation of "Into the Woods". The way he weaves together the disparate elements of fairytales into a cohesive narrative is nothing short of magical . The cast, in particular, delivers standout performances that bring depth and nuance to their characters . Kate Fleetwood's portrayal of the Witch is particularly noteworthy, conveying a sense of tragic pathos that is both captivating and unsettling . The set design by Tom Scutt is equally impressive, transforming seamlessly from dark and ominous to vibrant and fantastical . What I love most about this production, however, is its ability to balance levity and emotional darkness, tackling complex themes with sensitivity and skill .

OMG, I just saw "Into the Woods" and it was LIFE CHANGING ! I mean, the cast is literally flawless - Jamie Parker as the Baker is so charming and Kate Fleetwood's Witch had me DYING . But what really got to me was the way the show tackled all these dark themes like regret and betrayal... it's like Sondheim was speaking straight to my soul . And can we talk about the set design? It's like stepping into a fairy tale (or nightmare) . I loved how it went from creepy to magical - it added so much to the story. Overall, if you haven't seen "Into the Woods" yet, WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING WITH YOUR LIFE? Get tickets ASAP!

I think people are being way too harsh on Sondheim's work here . I mean, sure, some people might say it's dark or uncomfortable, but that's kinda the point! It's a show about how life isn't always all rainbows and unicorns - sometimes it's messy and complicated . And honestly, I think that's what makes "Into the Woods" so powerful . The cast is incredible and they totally bring these complex characters to life . I mean, who wouldn't love a show with songs like "No One Is Alone" ? Tom Scutt's set design is insane too - it's like stepping into a whole different world . Don't knock it 'til you try it, guys!

I'm totally obsessed with "Into the Woods" right now it's like, this show just gets deeper and more emotionally resonant as you watch, you know? The way they balance all these dark and light moments is insane. And Jamie Parker's performance as the Baker is like, wow. He's got this whole vulnerable thing down pat but at the same time, he can also bring that sense of determination and grit when needed.

And I love how they just subvert all these traditional fairy tale tropes, you know? It's not just some happy ending or whatever. The themes of regret and blame are so real and relatable, it's like... yeah, we've all been there at some point. And the music? Forget about it! Tom Scutt's set design is also insane, it's like stepping into a whole different world. I mean, who else can make a dark forest look so beautiful and terrifying at the same time?

just saw this production and I'm SHOOK the witch's performance was insane, Kate Fleetwood brought so much depth to her character and that set design tho... Tom Scutt is a genius! the musical numbers were on point too, Jamie Parker and Katie Brayben had such great chemistry as the baker and his wife can't wait to see it again

Just saw "Into the Woods" and I'm still reeling from the emotions. The way the show balances darkness and levity is so cleverly done. And can we talk about the acting? Kate Fleetwood as the Witch is pure genius . She's got this whole "comically evil" vibe going on, but then you see the depth of her character and it just breaks your heart . The cast is top-notch, with standout performances from Jamie Parker and Katie Brayben. And that set design? Wow, Tom Scutt really outdid himself . It's like stepping into a fairy tale world...but also, a lot of pain and regret . If you haven't seen it yet, get tickets ASAP! [link to ticket sales]

I just got back from the most amazing trip to Japan last year, and I'm still reeling from the incredible food I mean, have you ever tried real ramen in Tokyo? It's life-changing! The broth is so rich and flavorful... I swear, I gained like 5 pounds just eating it every day for a week . And don't even get me started on the sushi . I had this one restaurant that served the freshest fish I've ever tasted... it was like a party in my mouth .

But anyway, back to "Into the Woods" I love how they use music to tell the story – it's so beautiful and haunting at the same time. And the cast is just incredible, I mean, Jamie Parker's voice is insane . Have you seen him in anything else?

OMG, I'm SOOOO hyped about "Into the Woods"!! The way Jordan Fein has woven together the Brothers Grimm's tale is pure GENIUS ! The cast is absolutely phenomenal - Kate Fleetwood as the Witch is giving ME LIFE and Jamie Parker and Katie Brayben as the Baker and his wife are SO COZY . But what really gets me is how they balance the dark and light - it's like they're tapping into our deepest feelings in a way that's both cathartic and haunting . The set design? WOWZA ! I've never seen anything like it. And let's not forget Sondheim's iconic music... it's like he knew exactly how to tap into the human heart . If you haven't seen "Into the Woods" yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!

This show is like a dream come true ! The way they weave all those classic fairy tales together into one story is pure genius . I mean, who wouldn't want to see Cinderella's shoe, Rapunzel's hair, and Red Ridinghood's coat all in the same place? But seriously, it's not just a fun mashup – it actually says something about family, regret, and how we're all messed up somehow . And the music! Oh my god, Stephen Sondheim's songs are like nothing else out there . I'm still thinking about that one song "Agony" weeks after seeing the show... . If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and get tickets ASAP!

omg u guys, i just saw "Into the Woods" live it was literally breathtaking! i loved how they wove the fairytales together into something so much deeper than just a mashup - it's really about the complexities of family & human nature. Jamie Parker as the baker was SO charming and Kate Fleetwood as the witch was, like, perfection her comedic evil vibe was everything! the set design was insane too - it went from dark to vibrant so fast it was like magic also, the music... uhhhh my heart is still racing thinking about all those dramatic notes gotta see this show ASAP!

omg u guys i just saw into the woods @ bridge theatre in london and it was LIFE CHANGING the set design by tom scutt is literally a work of art, so dark and ominous at first but then transforms into this vibrant woodland setting that's both fantastical & unsettling and the costumes are on point too, so medieval style they're just perfection the cast is incredible too, especially kate fleetwood as the witch she's got some serious skills but what really gets me is how the show balances levity & emotional darkness it's like a rollercoaster of feelings but in a good way don't miss this show if u can, it's defo an absolute must-see for any theatre fan

You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one . "Into the Woods" is a show that will leave you questioning the magic in our own lives, but also finding it in the darkest places. The cast brings so much depth and emotion to their characters, it's like they're telling you a story about your own family - imperfect, messy, and utterly relatable .