England's Theatre Royal Bath has released full casting for their upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapines' Into the Woods, running August 19-September 10 and opening August 25. As previously reported, the production will be co-directed by Terry Gilliam and Leah Hausman, with the latter also choreographing.
Alex Young, currently leading Southwark Playhouse's Anyone Can Whistle and best known to Sondheim fans as Young Sally in the National Theatre's 2017 revival of Follies, will play the Baker's Wife alongside Olivier nominees Audrey Brisson (Amélie) as Cinderella and Nicola Hughes (Fosse, Porgy and Bess) as the Witch, Julian Bleach (Shockheaded Peter, The Grinning Man) as the Mysterious Man, and Rhashan Stone (All About Eve) as the Baker.
Rounding out the cast are Gillian Bevan (Billy Elliot) as Jack's Mother, Nathanael Campbell (Come From Away) as the Wolf/Cinderella's Prince, Maria Conneely as Rapunzel, Lauren Conroy as Little Red Riding Hood, Phoebe Fildes (The Mousetrap) as Lucina, Samuel Holmes (Crazy For You) as the Steward, Charlotte Jaconelli (Heathers) as Florinda, Henry Jenkinson as Rapunzel's Prince, and Barnet Wilkinson (Sunset Boulevard) as Jack.
The production comes to Theatre Royal Bath after being cancelled by The Old Vic following comments previously made by Gilliam about the #MeToo movement, described by the actor as a "witch hunt." Gilliam also defended comic Dave Chappelle, whose recent comedy special prompted a walkout by Netflix employees over its inclusion of transphobic jokes.
The re-imagined take on Sondheim and Lapine's fairy tale mash-up musical places the story through the lens of a young girl playing with a Victorian toy theatre.
Gilliam and Hausman's creative team will include music director Stephen HIggins, designer Jon Bausor, costume designer Antony McDonald, lighting designer Mark Henderson, video designer Will Duke, sound designer Paul Groothuis, and casting director David Grindrod.
For more, visit TheatreRoyal.org.uk.
