Into The Woods

In the thirty-five years since its premiere, Into the Woods has become a classic – brilliantly original, dark, funny, absorbing and utterly entertaining.

It begins, of course, with “Once upon a time” By the end of the opening number not one but six fairytale plots have intertwined, as Cinderella, the Baker and his Wife, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack of beanstalk fame all head into the woods in search of love, happiness, wisdom. Three midnights of brilliant plot twists later they all end up singing “Happy ever after”. Except this is only the interval

We all want our wishes fulfilled, but are we prepared to pay the price?

Why now? Because this is the truest and happiest thing I can think of to offer audiences in 2023. I've directed Angels in America and The Glass Menagerie at Belvoir and I like to think of Into the Woods as the third in a loose trilogy of masterpieces by the three great gay dramatists of American theatre. It's about story and storytelling, about how we live for each other. It's both light and dark, the plotting is as joyful as Shakespeare's, and the music is sublime. Best of all, seeing this at Belvoir means being in the same room as performers like Esther Hannaford and Tamsin Carroll. Don't miss it. – Eamon.