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

Sally Dexter would be stunning, love that idea.

I’d love to see Rachel Tucker or Louise Dearman as the Witch, they’d both have the acting and singing chops to do an amazing job I think.
This won’t be a very popular choice with many on here but I think Sheridan Smith could make a brilliant Baker’s Wife, I think people forget sometimes that she’s a brilliant actress with both straight and comedy material because we just remember her hamming it up on stage in Joseph two summers ago. It would be a full circle moment for her too having played Little Red Riding Hood at the Donmar probably over 20 years ago now? I LOVE the idea of John Owen-Jones as the Baker if they don’t decide to go for a name.

OMG. YES. I SEE THIS.

There would be a sort of evolution if they were to cast Jenna Russell as the Witch, given she's previously played Cinderella (Donmar) and Baker's Wife (Regent's Park).

I like showtoones suggestion of Ute Lemper, that could be very interesting casting. Sie ist ein Vamp, after all.

I wouldn't be mad if Hannah Waddingham were to return to the role, I thought she was excellent the first time around.

I don't think Jenna could pull off the Witch personally.

Jo Riding really would be superb Witch - it's a shame she's slightly too old for the Bakers Wife because that would have been so wonderful.

And yeah, Tracie Bennett high camp as the Witch and I'd be game!

Omg Tracie Bennett would be ferocious lol. I love it. Not sure about the Joanna Riding idea - to me she's always been a bit bland on stage. I agree though she would've made a good BW 10/15 years ago. I think Jenna would be all wrong for the Witch. She was a lovely BW in Regent's Park.

Completely agree. I only got into this musical after the Regent's Park production, and I haven't waited a decade for a decent new production only to have the Witch ruined by either a panto turn or yet another Judy Garland caricature from Ms Bennett (four times in four different shows is quite enough, thank you). Yes there is a darkly comic edge to The Witch at times but she shouldn't be played just for laughs.

I hope they are going to reach out to the Wiccan community and others so that a qualified magic practitioner can be found to play the Witch. Those born with magical skills have too frequently been ignored by casting directors.

*removes tongue from cheek*

Perhaps the ‘Blair Witch’ should do it? Enough real life experience of witching Or Meg from ‘Meg & Mog’. Grotbags would have been great in it but she left us God bless!

I like this suggestion! Jack and Little Red I find are so difficult to cast because for me they sit in that sort of ageless "older child" range. I guess 12-14? But I wouldn't want to see a 13 year old do it like in the Disney movie.

He is now too big for this sort of production.

Jack doesn't need a lot of acting skill. He wasn't written with many layers