15 April - 1 May 2016
Musical

Following the local and national success of Sweeney Todd, KickstArt are opening their Durban programme with a brand new production of another Sondheim classic, Into the Woods. This moody, magical, thought-provoking musical has long been on director Steven Stead’s wish-list, and now he and his creative collaborator, Greg King are realising a dream, bring the first professional production ever to Durban!

Into the Woods follows the trials and adventures of a collection of well-known fairy-tale characters, including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Red Riding Hood. They all go into the deep, dark woods on seperate quests, and their paths cross and intersect with sometimes amusing, sometimes alarming results.

KickstArt has assembled and all-star cast for this important production: Frances Currie, now resident in the UK, is coming out to play the indecisive and under-confident Cinderella, with Liesl Coppin as her wicked step-mother. Bryan Hiles and Jessica Sole play the central characters of the Baker and his wife, who have to collect a series of magical objects over three nights in order to dispel the curse of the eccentric next-door witch and have a child of their own. The Witch, a hugely challenging role first created by Broadway diva Bernadette Peters, and recently played on screen by Meryl Streep, is played with relish and style by Durban’s own delicious diva, Lisa Bobbert. Graeme Wicks plays hapless, dreamy jack, with Marion Loudon as his exasperated, ever-practical mother. Red Ridinghood is played by Katy Moore, and her nemesis, the ever-lurking Wolf, is played by Lyle Buxton, who also plays Cinderella’s handsome and seemingly charming Prince. Rapunzel is played by sweet-voiced Haylea Hounsom, and her prince by exciting new-comer, Alex Hodges.

Into the Woods is directed by Steven Stead, with musical direction by Drew Rienstra (American musical theatre expert), set design by Greg King and costume designs by Neil Harris.  Performances 7.30pm Tues-Sat, 2.30pm Sat, and 6pm Sunday. Please note that despite its fairytale characters, this musical is aimed at adults, and is not suitable for children under 8 years old.