Head into the woods

The Leighton Buzzard-based adult group will be presenting Into the Woods on Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20 at The Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre.

The Stephen Sondheim musical was in the limelight last year with the release of the film starring Maryll Streep and Johnny Depp.

Now it is being brought to life by this local company made up of drama graduates, semi professional performers and those with a keen interest in theatre.

An ambivalent Cinderella? A blood-thirsty Little Red Riding Hood? A Prince Charming with a roving eye? A Witch…who raps? They’re all among the cockeyed characters in James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s fractured fairy tale.

When a baker and his wife learn they’ve been cursed with childlessness by the witch next door, they embark on a quest for the special objects required to break the spell, swindling, lying to and stealing from Cinderella, Little Red, Rapunzel and Jack (the one who climbed the beanstalk).

Everyone’s wish is granted at the end of Act One, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later, with disastrous results.

What begins a lively irreverent fantasy in the style of The Princess Bride becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children.

Performances are at 7.30pm, with a 2pm matinee on the Saturday, and will be in aid of Hospice at Home.