Into the Woods

WAAPA Third Year Music Theatre students feature in this unconventional retelling of Sondheim and Lapine’s Into the Woods, playing in the Studio Underground, in the State Theatre Centre. With most production and design elements by current WAAPA students, and the majority of the orchestra WAAPA music students, this is a chance to see the talents of students from many areas of the academy in a more public setting.

This incarnation of Into the Woods is set on the edge of the Australian bush at an outward-bound style adventure camp and performed almost as if it is a camp skit – using “perceivably improvised” costuming and properties. There are advantages and drawbacks to this conceit – with benefits including the ability to include more performers in some of the ensemble numbers and to increase the stage time for some actors. Disadvantages include that the revelation of the witch is lost, and some humour doesn’t quite land as expected.

Emma Haines’ Witch is especially strong, despite some restraints on her character’s journey in this format. A beautifully crafted performance, with full commitment to the role and a gorgeous voice. Paige Fallu gives charm and beautiful tone to Rapunzel.

Zoe Crisp is an excellent Baker’s Wife, showing great depth with impressive duets and a believable relationship with Jesse Simpson’s very likeable baker.

Performed with Australian accents, Gus Noakes is particularly adept at making this work for his character – the Narrator – costumed (imaginative work by Nikita Bernardo) as the camp counsellor.

Anita Karabajakian brings a lovely sweetness to Cinderella and works well against her step-family - Hannah Jones (Stepmother), Chloe Malek (Lucinda) and June Sertorio (Florinda).

Amber Scates gives life and personality to Milky White the Cow (occasionally stepping out to play other roles) and works well as a bizarre best friend to Noah Goodsell’s Jack.

Ensemble numbers were particularly strong vocally, accompanied by a faultless nine-piece orchestra led by Music Director David King. Visiting artist Scott Elstermann has created some strong choreographic moments, nicely executed by this cast.

Valentina Authelet’s set gives us the feeling of the Australian bush and contains some excellent surprises – including using the height of this space to best advantage. Kalib Gwilym’s lighting design is strong and evocative, with Dale Kerrison’s sound design especially effective.

This is a strong cohort – as evidenced by their highly cohesive, very strong production of Spring Awakening a few months ago. This production doesn’t quite have that magic, for reasons that are difficult to pin-point, but still shows much promise. I look forward to seeing Crazy for You and Cabaret later this year.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Stephen Heath