After a year of waiting, the UON Musos club have announced their next musical, Into The Woods.

The Sondheim show follows common fairytale stories such as Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and
Little Red Riding Hood, but puts a dark twist on the fates of these characters.

Director Louise Barcan says the show highlights the true desires of childhood characters and brings to life the darker aspects of the Brothers Grimm stories.

“Into The Woods is about all these different fairytales coming together, and everybody wishing for different things. They make sacrifices along the way in order to get those wishes and learn whether or not they’re worth it in the end.”

Louise says she approached the show in a way she thinks hasn’t been done before.

“I wanted to focus on the darker side of human nature and we as humans always wanting the next best thing. It’s about how much of ourselves we’re willing to lose or change in order to get what we think we want.”

PJ Willis plays the leading role of the Baker, a humble man who ventures into the woods to complete a quest for the Witch, in which he and his wife will be rewarded with a child.

His wife is played by university student Bianca Heffernan, who perfectly encapsulates the ways a mother will go distances for her child.

The show also features Airlia Kalaf as Cinderella, Tessa Mills as Jack, and Trinity Young as Little Red Riding Hood

“They’re really dedicated, strong performers, who are the leaders of this show. We’re very thankful to have them on our team,” says Louise.

Louise is assisted by Brooke Charlton, as well as vocal director Rachael Sebastian, choreographers Lilly Grant and Abbey McFadden, and musical directors Dean Selem and Johnathon Bullard.

“I’m very grateful to have such a strong support system. They’re working really hard to create a complete final product. Rachael especially has a huge job and is working so hard to make Into the Woods the show that it is.”

But how will this journey end for the Baker and his wife, and the characters they encounter in the woods? Well, you’ll have to wait and see.

The show will play at Warners Bay Theatre from September 11 to 14. Tickets are available at trybooking.com/CTPDR

Into the Woods vocal rehearsals – photographed by Sophie Webster