Into The Woods, 25 – 29 April at Joseph Rowntree Theatre
NE brings you Into the Woods, a 1987 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim based on the book by James Lapine.
The story follows a baker and his wife who find out they are childless due to the curse bestowed upon their family by a once-beautiful witch. The only way to break the curse is to bring the witch four magical ingredients from the woods; a milk-white cow, hair as yellow as corn, a blood-red cape, and a slipper of gold.
So, three days before the rise of a blue moon, the baker and his wife venture into the mysterious woods to find the ingredients needed to break the curse. Once the curse is broken, the witch will be beautiful once more and the baker and his wife will be able to have the child that they so desperately long for.
On their travels, they meet Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Jack (without his beanstalk) along with some not-so-friendly characters; each one of them on their own mission to find something and all discovering more about themselves than ever expected.
Will the baker and his wife succeed and live happily ever after, or should they be careful what they wish for?
Intertwining many well-known and loved stories as well as bringing together numerous fairy-tale characters, this timeless musical explores what really happens when “happily ever after” is achieved.
Expect the usual eye-catching sets and costumes that go hand in hand with an NE Musicals performance.
Creative Director, Steve Tearle said “When designing the set, I took inspiration from the original Broadway version of the show. I wanted the audience to feel like they were also inside the woods, so have used a rainbow of colours and various styles to try to bring the woods to life.”
Working alongside Adam Kirkwood, the lighting for the performance cleverly creates an atmosphere of darkness in the wood that can appear menacing but also comforting at times.
The costumes, designed by northeast designer Paul Shrek, showcases a mix of fabrics with contrasting pastel and primary colours, with additional costumes by Steve Tearle, with the help of Jill Outhwaite.
NE was formed in 1914 as the New Earswick Dramatic Society. Over the years, the Society has changed from New Earswick Dramatic and Operatic Society, New Earswick Operatic Society, New Earswick Musical Society, and latterly as NE Musicals York. This friendly, hard-working musical theatre company is bringing three not-to-be missed productions to the Joseph Rowntree Theatre this year.
Into The Woods, The Musical performs this spring from Tuesday 25th of April through to the 29th April. Tickets available at josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk or call 01904 501935.
An epic, magical, medieval, fantasy, musical adventure – be sure to book your tickets early!