Into the Woods - Menier Chocolate Factory

We went to this last night to celebrate the end of the academic year for my daughter (Year 10 is over!) Really loved it - intelligent, inventive and full of joy. I'm not going to be very good at explaining this but it's a kind of 'New Yorker' magazine production. A bit hipster; a bit Park Slope, Brooklyn. I realise that this will make some people hate it but it hit the spot for us.

Have been watching the online videos of Vanessa Reseland (the witch) in her Glitter Rock band Wifey. For those of us in middle age she appears to be as cool as Debbie Harry. She is the only member of cast new to the London production - and even she was an understudy in New York. It really is a tight knit company who you can imagine spend a lot of time together off stage.

My daughter said that it was second only to Assassins (also at the Menier) in favourite trips to the theatre. And, pleasingly, where we were sitting, there was a lovely cool breeze in the theatre. Had expected it to feel very sticky in there but clearly they are able to get air circulating. A real bonus for the last few days.

This was right up my street, wonderfully creative and inventive storytelling and stuffed to the brim with heart and charm.

It's fitting that a story all about community is told by a cast that has a tangible rapport. Their chemistry is clear to see. The travelling troupe of performers vibe about the whole production reaps great rewards.

I particularly enjoyed Emily Young's impish Red Riding Hood, Andy Grotelueschen’s bell-toting, very funny Milky White, and Claire Karpen's Cinderella who sang as beautifully as every princess should. There's really not a weak link amongst the ten strong company.

All in all it was a perfect Sunday afternoon, starting with a lovely meal in the Menier restaurant before enjoying the sold-out performance.

This was my first experience of Into the Woods. It's hard to imagine receiving a better introduction.

I saw the Olivier winning Regent's Park production a few years ago, where the atmosphere and location elevated the piece, coupled with some great performances. A couple of years back I saw a fringe production and felt thoroughly underwhelmed and tonight was another stripped back muddle, when a show is so bare the score and book has to stand up to scrutiny, there for everyone to perhaps grimmace and frown, there are a handful of good songs, but in reality with the libretto it came across as crass and pretentious.

I liked a great deal of this, particularly the bit where Little Red Riding Hood scratched the wolf's chest.

Currently sold out, but from previous experience the Menier put any returns on sale online, so it's worth keeping an eye on their website for a last-minute ticket.

Just had a look and a few tickets have gone on for this week, if you can take the £45 price tag.

Love Harry Hepple. He was great in Pippin.

I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago and told him how much I liked boy meets Girl. He was really pleased.
Hope it gets a nod come award time.

Saw this and loved it! After having seen the Regent's Park production I had thought that nothing could ever come close to it, but this production is just as inventive and moving in completely different ways. The staging is so clever and the use of the various musical instruments by the small cast makes it sound surprisingly well. The new cast members fit in perfectly.
(On a side note I was happy to see a smaller production in this little jewel of a theatre again instead of a too big show shoehorned into the stage as I felt with Funny Girl.)

Saw this tonight. Absolutely loved it. I have nothing but the film to compare it to but I thought it was perfect. Hilarious and dark in just the right measures, and the entire cast was brilliant. With this and Groundhog Day in the space of a week I'm in musical heaven.

Is it really though, there seems to be an endless list of things that are transferring that never happen.

In this instance though, the Vaudeville would be a perfect theatre for it.