Ever Wonder What Happened After ‘Happily Ever After’?

Ever Wonder What Happened After ‘Happily Ever After’?

Into the Woods – The Pumphouse, Auckland, 3-17 November 2012

What happens after the fairy princess and her handsome prince ride off into the sunset? The award-winning Broadway musical Into the Woods by Steven Sondheim holds the answers, and it's no fairytale.

Rapunzel gets up the duff, the handsome prince cheats on Cinderella, Jack has a "special" friendship with his cow, and Little Red Ridinghood is not as innocent as she seems...

Into the Woods, presented by North Shore Music Theatre and directed by Aaron Tindell, is coming to The Pumphouse, Takapuna from 3 – 17 November, 2012.

The show ties together favourite childhood stories with an original tale about a baker and his wife who want to start a family, and their interaction with a witch who casts a spell on them. It’s narrated by a young boy trying to make sense of his world, dreams and nightmares.

“Into The Woods is definitely more ‘Grimm’ than Disney,” says Tindell. “It’s a dark comedy musical that dares to ask what really happened after ‘happily ever after’. It explores themes of parenting, relationships, growing up, responsibility, and wish fulfilment seen through the fantastical world of a child.”

While the main characters seem to live in a fairytale in the first act, gaining their hearts desires (no matter what the cost), in the second half they face the consequences of their actions.

“The message comes through loud and clear that actions have consequences, and these consquences can impact on future generations,” says Tindell. “Into The Woods forces the audience to explore the relationship between adults and children, but in a darkly comical way. I think the best way to explore serious issues is through comedy.”

The cast includes Takapuna Grammar School teacher Jane Horder as The Witch, who admits she shares some similiarities with her character.

“The witch is a complex character and deep down she’s a good person with moral integrity,” she says. “I love performing, playing challenging roles, working with great people and the sense of escapism it provides.”

On the other hand New York Film Academy graduate Heather Lee Wilcock sees no comparison between her and her character Little Red Ridinghood.

“The only thing we have in common is that she’s really close to her Grandmother. She’s a rebel and I’m more easy going and a bit of a goodie two shoes!” says Heather Lee.

- Ends -

© Scoop Media