Into the Woods (Terry Gilliam Dir.) - Theatre Royal Bath

I do suspect it would sell better in London anyway.

It’s probably a bit of a niche title for Bath.

If nothing else- all those gays that will flock to it.
(Myself included)

It’s 90 minutes on the train. Why can’t “those gays” go and see it in Bath? 

I don't even travel to Hammersmith, surely the gays can't be expected to travel to the Far West 

I'm guessing Go West by The Village People doesn't apply to the gays of London then....

I mean .. train from Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads is doable and then a late coach back from Bristol would be relatively cheap too.. I do it to get to London, some of you should try it to get to and from here now😭

Do you remember that tv programme where Penn and Teller challenged their fellow magicians to fool them, and their delight when someone did? I shared that delight tonight. In two ways.

Firstly, as an inveterate theatregoer, jaded and cynical through experience, to be so enraptured for three hours, had me grinning from ear to ear, like a child on their very first theatre trip. The second, I'll come on to later.

For this production of Into the Woods is simply phenomenal. Words cannot do it justice. It's an aural and visual feast, right from our opening transportation inside the miniature Victorian theatre box, to the final bows.

I'd seen the entertaining Regent's Park version twice (and the disappointing film too) but I was completely mesmerised by Gilliam and Hausman's vision. Everything, for me, just worked: the framing, the conceptual tweaks, the set design, the lighting, the sound mix, the costumes - all exceptional.

And boy do the whole cast turn in first-rate performances. Especially Alex Young as the Baker's wife. Special mention too to Lauren Conroy as Little Red Riding Hood - you'd never guess this was her first professional outing.

So what of my other delight? That concerns stage magic. I adore it, and there is plenty on display here, and, of course, one always knows how it's done. But, there is an effect in the first act -- it's a very simple one involving falling flowers -- that blew me away. It was only one tiny moment, but I have absolutely no idea how it was achieved. Utterly magical!

It would be an absolute tragedy if this production does not transfer to the West End, not least because I have to see it again.

Five very well deserved stars.

Act 1: 19:33-20:58
Act 2: 21:18-22:25

Is a matinee not achievable for all but those in the Faro Islands? If only the lovely cheap Air Southwest still existed! Bristol to Manchester or Leeds Bradford. If I couldn’t be bothered driving up to Warrington I’d just get on this for only slightly more than the petrol money.

Agreed that Paddington to Bath will include at some points holiday makers etc to Weston/Devon/Cornwall but I can assure you that ITW is worth that pain. Just imagine feeding them to the giant or the wolf 😬

into the woods
but just at night
we don't want shows
in broad daylight

To no one’s surprise I took myself back to it last night, really enjoyable once again as the book is excellent:) arguably could be tightened a little bit but I’m sure once transferred it’ll have some more room to find it’s feet. A shame the run over here is a little too short..
minor set spoiler (I’d mark it but struggling to do so) / the cuckoo clock bird at the top of the proscenium arch doesn’t come out properly anymore, and the flower in the giant vase no longer moves and was facing the wrong way. Apparently it’s broken 😭.. Some of the costumes remain a hit or miss. Still on the fence with the Witch’s orange blazer and pencil skirt transformation which reads 80s business woman. Cinderella’s lyric “silver and gold throw down on me” then becomes void as her ballgown is a petallike pink. Not the prettiest, but Audrey makes it work;) really not keen on Rhashan’s Baker, the speak-singing is a shame when the rest of the cast have outstanding vocals. No More is a little tough to sit through. His portrayal isn’t too emotive and makes their relationship seem flat(which arguably it is as they bicker and vow to split up to look for the items. But when ’It Takes Two’ arrives, all the focus shifts to Milky’s reactions..)
The visual effects remain great, some admirable fourth wall breaking as well as poking fun at the concept of theatre itself!! The screen is used fairly well, the tree silhouettes on the back move as sets would, making the depth added look almost seamless. Like some have pointed out, it slightly diminishes the authentic toy theatre feel but with a few odd projections onto the side panels, i think these warrant the use of the backdrop.
Could be back just before the run ends over here as the slip seats are pretty cheap. Fairly easy to move more central although avoid those pillars! Seems like a few cast family members were In and were seated in front of them haha

The flower on the vase was just hitting a tree when I saw it, very messy indeed.

Also HATED the witches orange costume. Absolutely terrible design choice, made no sense at all.

I adore Nicola Hughes, but she really missed the mark for me. Absolutely sunk by that awful costume in Act 2 which is really unfair.

Atleast they didnt turn her into an influencer... no doubt someone suggested it at one point.