INTO the Woods is a well-chosen musical – full of light, sound and song – to put the new 151-seat Galaxy proscenium arch theatre to the test.
The acoustics are so good that at times the high notes hit the ears at a higher decibel level than expected.
But that hardly detracts from the superb performance by an excellent cast directed by Tim Hill, with musical direction by Ben Murray.
The popular musical by Stephen Sondheim might be well-known, but it was experienced for the first time by this reviewer, who found it both engaging, enthralling and very moving at times.
Not a “happy-ending musical”, but just like the fairy tale characters Into the Woods incorporates, it has a dark side.
Enough to raise your hackles when the choices are grim, with threats and dangers from witch, giant and wolf.
The baker, played by Stephen Hirst and his wife (Heidi Enchelmaier), held the audience spellbound, as they went on their quest to begin a family (taken from the original beginning of the Grimm Brothers’ “Rapunzel”), then dealing with a demanding witch played convincingly by Natasha Veselinovic.
Jack – as from Jack and the Beanstalk – was exceptionally well-played by Alex Watson, a 2018 graduate in Musical Theatre at the Queensland Conservatorium (QAEMT) who comes across as a very talented and passionate storyteller.
The other stand-out star was Cinderella, performed with aptitude and agility by Jordan Malone – also a QAEMT graduate – making the Ad Astra stage for the first time after recently completing the Australian national tour of Wicked.
We cannot go past James Shaw, who was there from start to finish, impeccably playing the dual role of narrator and mysterious man.
As this was first show at the Petrie Terrace location for Ad Astra Theatre Company, all credit to Dan and Fiona Kennedy, who privately- funded the takeover and transformation of what was previously the Brisbane Arts Theatre.
Normally a plastic surgeon, Dr Kennedy originally hails from Russell Island and is the theatre’s technical director – in addition to acting as front of house and bar manager on the night we attended – while his wife Fiona relishes her role as artistic director, as she has had a long history in theatre.
They are backed up by the essential and experienced executive productor Gregory Wilken.
Into the Woods plays at Ad Astra’s Galaxy Theatre until October 18.
For tickets go to: adastracreativity.com/productions/into-the-woods.
