Review: Into The Woods, Melabeau Productions at Brentwood Theatre

Melabeau sent a very young cast Into the Woods, and they successfully managed Sondheim's style of the piece, with some very promising performances. Lots of dance, with corps-de-ballet trees, and a great tap duet from the Wolf [Ellie Mead] and Shayley Robinson's “excited and scared” Little Red Riding Hood.

Alfie Aves had superb presence as young Jack, Ella Catterick made a lovely operatic Rapunzel. The Baker and his wife, whose quest is the heart of the story, were confidently done by Clarke Peek-Pullum and Rosie Griffiths.

The production looked good, with inventive costumes and a stunning reveal as the black tabs opened on a haunted forest with slender trees in front of a spooky back-drop.

Into The Woods was produced for Melabeau by Nick Campbell, and directed by Elaine Spires with musical direction by Julie Barker.

By Michael Gray