Into The Woods
The Open Air Theatre is the perfect way to enjoy some stand out London shows whilst also taking in the sunshine bestowed upon us during the summer months. Each year it stages an array of productions and in the past some big names have also taken to its stage, bringing much anticipation for its upcoming 2010 season in Regent’s Park.
One show that has managed to attract an impressive cast is the Stephen Sondheim musical “Into the Woods”, which is set to appear at the Regent’s Park venue from early August and whilst the onstage presence is good enough, it also features the voice of Dame Judi Dench.
Dench, who returns to the Open Air after previous stints as an actress and director, will provide the vocals for the Giant in the production whilst the live cast includes West End regular Hannah Waddingham and Australian actress Helen Dallimore.
Into the Woods first appeared on the stage in San Diego in the 1980s and has since been seen on Broadway and in the West End in 1990, where it had its London premiere at the Phoenix Theatre. Those who are familiar with the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm will be right at home with the musical as it takes many of its cues from these stories, mixing them together into a show that features characters like Cinderella, Rapunzel and others. Whilst Dench provides the voice of the Giant of “Jack and the Beanstalk”, Waddinham will portray the witch and Dallimore will take on the role of Cinderella.
Waddingham is a well known face for West End theatre audiences and takes part in “Into the Woods” following previous productions that include Laurence Olivier-nominated stints in “Spamalot” and “A Little Night Music”. She has also appeared in numerous television programmes.
Meanwhile, Dallimore is another familiar face from the West End and has appeared in various high profile roles in London and in Australia. Her credits include “Wicked” at the Victoria Palace Theatre and shows down under that include “Spring Awakening” in Sydney.
Into the Woods is set to appear at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park from Wednesday 11th August 2010 (previews from Thursday 5th August 2010) to Saturday 11th September 2010.
