Seeking to tell a tale of two halves, the CUADC’s production of Into The Woods is set to spring onto the ADC stage next week and promises to provide a spell of imaginative release from the stresses of Week Eight. Exploring the interconnected narratives of the Brothers Grimm fairytales, this adaptation seeks to delve under the blissful presentation of these childhood tales to candidly comment on our adult lives that are much more complex than ‘happily ever after’.

I met with the play’s director, Toby Trusted, to uncover his take on this classic show. He characterised the musical as “escapism in its best form”. Resonant today, nearly 40 years after its debut, Into The Woods was written as a refuge from the tragic AIDS crisis in 1986 which deeply affected the theatre industry, with its writer James Lapine and composer Stephen Sondheim likely knowing many people affected. Telling me of this crucial context, Toby explains that this sombre side of the production feels relevant to modern audiences living themselves in uncertain times. “That’s really reflected in the show, it has a lot of depth and darkness to it. But the way it processes this is very genuine,” he tells me: “The way it finds hope in grief or desolation feels really organic. All I can say is that it does speak to me and the cast too.”

“This adaptation seeks to delve under the blissful presentation of these childhood tales”

Even while seeking to stress the grittier realities of the tales, Toby is still passionate about bringing to life the magical aspect of these fairytale worlds. When speaking about the 2014 screen adaptation, he stated that “the film has nothing on the musical” and hopes to bring to life the “layering and depth of character” that Sondheim and Lapine’s original conveys. Part of this involves emphasising the marked contrast between the whimsical nature of Act One and the darker atmosphere of Act Two, where “the fairytale becomes almost oppressive”. When I asked Toby about how he intends to balance the lighter humour of the musical with these more sinister, didactic aspects, he excitedly informed me of “the full ADC takeover” the team have planned: “The bar, the box office and the auditorium will look completely different. When they come in, audiences will think they are in a fairytale wonderland, brought to life by a vivid colour pallet of design.” Toby adds that “going to see a show does not start from when the curtain comes up. It should begin when the audience walks in and instantly feel transported to another world. This is what we are doing with Into The Woods,” he reveals.

I wanted to know if there were any more standout features of the CUADC’s production that could enhance an already iconic musical. Not wanting to give away too much, Toby alluded to “an ensemble of spirits”. An addition that did not feel like “fighting the script for the sake of it, but rather a natural extension,” this unique use of the ensemble allows for a piece that feels more complete and collaborative. Puppets are another key aspect, expertly crafted by the design team (evidenced by Toby showing me a photo of life-sized cow puppet!). “Come for the puppets alone!” he exclaims. Toby “promise[s] that every single night will sound fantastic,” confidently assuring me as a testament to the well-rehearsed band and the cast’s phenomenal singing. “I feel like some people don’t place trust in amdram musicals, but I really would challenge that with this show. I feel like we’ve got something absolutely brilliant on our hands.”

“The entire experience of crafting Into The Woods seems utterly fun, providing a creative haven for theatre enthusiasts to do what they do best”

The entire experience of crafting Into The Woods seems utterly fun, providing a creative haven for theatre enthusiasts to do what they do best. “One of the real joys of creating theatre at the ADC is to get to work with so many awesome people,” Toby states. The rehearsal process has been long underway by this point, and it seems as if the production is raring to go, evident in Toby’s radiating confidence and belief in the team’s work. He praises the skill of the band, who are able to “precisely coordinate themselves with the actors and their movements”. The “fantastic set team” have also been hard at work creating this “pink and purple fairytale world” that was being built and painted as we were speaking. This is aided by the costume team who have been selecting outfits for the cast even before Lent term had begun. “We are pushing the boundaries in terms of design,” Toby reveals, providing an insight into some of these technically ambitious decisions that involve parts of the set collapsing onstage.

Especially as we move through the last week of term, worn out by the heavy load of essays, lectures and supervisions, Into The Woods provides a perfect boost to the spirits. “If I hear that this production gave even just two people a sense of hope about the world and themselves, then I will have fulfilled my job,” Toby says. A production that promises to be “lyrical, whimsical and truthful,” Into The Woods offers an end to Lent term that is positively spellbinding.

Into the Woods runs at the ADC Theatre from Wednesday 18th to Saturday 28th March.