Dark Woodland Themes- untangling Into the Woods
On the face of it, the premise of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into the Woods seems to be a charming tale of several fairy-tale characters who go ‘into the woods’ to get their wish; and maybe for many audience members, they are quite happy for the show to end at the interval when that appears to have been achieved.
However, the underlying themes are darker and much more complex; and, like the origin of the stories themselves by the Brothers Grimm, are intended to help the reader to navigate some of the harsher realities of life.
In particular, the younger characters encounter the pain and difficulties of growing up, whilst parent/child relationships are also under scrutiny; and all have to learn the inevitable consequences of pursuing their desires and compromising their integrity.
Act 2 addresses the question of ‘what happens after the ‘happy-ever-after’?
Achieving their wishes brings new problems and responsibilities and along with the introduction of a new danger which threatens them all, moral choices have to made between selfish desires and the communal good.
The harsher themes are balanced with brilliant comic moments and characters, albeit erring towards black comedy; but all the characters are ultimately journeying towards their self-knowledge, acceptance of the compromises necessary to negotiate life’s challenges, and the need for no one to be alone.
Into the Woods. Bob Hope Theatre, Eltham. 2-5 April 2025.
Book tickets here:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/eltham/bob-hope-theatre/into-the-woods/e-xjdkkb
We are delighted to be featured in the new issue of Musicals Magazine
Auditions - hints and tips Podcast
Both sides of the audition table bring their challenges. From preparation to execution, from the
aftermath to the casting a lot more goes into this theatrical necessity than you might think. The panel discuss hints and tips along with anecdotes from the local and professional world. If you have
ever auditioned or had to audition someone this podcast is a humorous tonic.
Our Podcast are avalable on all platforms or click on the Logo to listen.
2025 marks Artforms 40th anniverary since its inception.
To celebrate, it had to be Sondheim!
We picked our favourite!
We are thrilled to announce that our production will be Stephen Sondheim and James Lapin's
INTO THE WOODS.
Tickets are now avalible for Into the Woods at the Bob Hope Theatre in Eltham. 2nd - 5th April 2025
Click on the Poster to be taken to the Ticket Office
We are back rehearsing:
Under the beautiful dome of the Corbett Community Library, getting stuck in with the wonderful scores with our MD John Hargreaves.
Following the sell-out production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Artform returns to BHT with a Sondheim musical for our 40th anniversary production.
With a Tony Award-winning score and book, Into the Woods brings the Brothers Grimm fairytale characters to life, interweaving their dark yet entertaining tales – all set to a sublime score.
Whilst lost in the woods, a host of beloved characters explore their relationships to each other, responsibilities and wish fulfilment, but
also having to understand the consequences of their choices.
Will everyone get their ‘happy ever after’? They’ll have to find their way through the woods first?
The Baker’s wife: Alexandria Alexander
Wolf/Cinderella’s prince: Matthew Westrip
Rapunzel’s prince: Scott Slaytor
Cinderella: Ellie Joy Wallis
Rapunzel: Emily Rushton
Stepmother: Joni Nelson-Ferns
Lucinda: Lois Wakefield
Florinda: Erin Clancy
Red Riding Hood: Lisa Daniels
Jack: Oliver Bahrami-Jenkins
Jack’s mother: Samantha Drain
Witch: Nadine Plater
Cinderella’s mother: Joanne Robinson
Show Adaptations
Every production of the same show can pose different challenges. But what if the director has decided to set Olivier! on a spaceship in the 1980s or Carousel in a shopping centre?How do you adapt as a cast member or production team and what makes for a successful adaptation?
New Podcast avalable on all platforms or click on the Logo to listen.
Angels in America
Artform are proud to introduce, as our first podcast of welcoming other companies to discuss their productions with us, the Geoffrey
Whitworth Theatre production of Tony Kushner’s theatrical masterpiece. We are thrilled to be joined by members of the company and a very special guest Dr Emily Garside,. Come and join us as we
discuss the depths of the show, themes, how to stage a production and why this piece about AIDS, racism and the American experience is so relevant today.
New Podcast avalable on all platforms or click on the Logo to listen.
A Night at the Musicals
Artform's latest fundraising concert
News Update Artform is currently presenting productions at the Bob Hope Theatre in Eltham as the Broadway Theatre in Catford is no longer viable for Artform. We have had the opportunity to try out different performance spaces, and work flexibly to produce varied entertainment, according to the community or audience.
We have started plans on a small scale, and are delighted to have worked with the Corbett Library, Catford in producing a fund-raising one-night-only cabaret.
We are continuing with our podcasts ‘An Afternoon with Artform’, where creatives and performers discuss the challenges and experiences of previous productions.
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