The creative team and orchestra is top drawer, and the cast is quite the ensemble.
The world of theatre is notoriously cutthroat, and fewer fields within the West End are more competitive than musical theatre. Revivals of classic musicals make sense in hopes that they will guarantee a good turnout, and although there is always risk involved, it is far less than that of a new musical, writes Christopher Peacock.
The key to a successful revival is the ability to either bring a new perspective or a dazzling spectacle that fans of the show will still want to come and see. For a limited run, The Noël Coward Theatre welcomes Jamie Wilson Productions’ revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods off the back of a highly acclaimed award-winning run at The Bridge Theatre in 2025-2026.
Into The Woods is a mashup of a fairytale, with a full set of familiar fairytale characters. The Baker and his wife have been cursed not to have a child, Red Riding Hood needs to visit her grandmother, Cinderella wants to attend the festival, and Jack needs to sell his cow at the market. The Witch sets the bakers the task of bringing back four items she needs to lift their curse, and all five set off ‘Into the Woods’ in search of what each of them needs.
The second half of the show takes a darker turn as, although their quest was a success, it has its consequences. The book from James Lapine and the Stephen Sondheim numbers do a great service in weaving together these famous characters into something new. The all-knowing nods to the original stories, and the sending up of classic tropes get plenty of laughs.
This production, directed by Jordan Fein, won the Olivier Award for best revival when originally at The Bridge Theatre, and a few of the cast have come back for this run. Kate Fleetwood returns as the Witch with an enthralling turn. But it is also worth noting the vocal performances from Simbi Akande as Cinderella and Laura Pitt-Pulford as the Baker’s Wife, which were superb.
However, the stage and costume design from Tom Scutt and the lighting design from Aideen Malone really do bring the magic to the show. The depth and darkness of the woods and the visual effects are the perfect partner for a talented cast. Now confined to a classic proscenium arch theatre stage, the woods feel even more claustrophobic.
For fans of Sondheim musicals, this production of Into The Woods would certainly be one to go and see. The work from all of the creative team and orchestra is top drawer, and the cast is quite the ensemble.
The Noël Coward Theatre until 9th January 2027.
Booking and full details: https://intothewoodsonstage.com/
