Did anyone see the Donmar's INTO THE WOODS (1999)?

[Musicaldudepeter]

Just wondering did anyone catch the Donmar's 1999 revival of Into the Woods starring Clare Burt as the Witch, Sophie Thompson as Baker's Wife and apparently Sheridan Smith as Red Riding Hood?

I always wondered what it was like as a production.

Thompson won the Olivier Award for Actress in a Musical for her performance - it must have been superb? Can anyone who saw both this revival and the original 1990 production compare performances of the Baker's Wife - Imelda Staunton and Thompson, (and indeed Jenna Russell's work in the recent London production)

[devonian.t]

I think I'll be in the minority, but I disliked it a great deal. I found it distinctly lacking in magic.

There was far too much mugging and not enough sincerity in the performances the night I saw it. For me, the most successful productions have been funniest when played straight.

The set was limited, as you'd expect, but all too predictable.

I am not a Donmar basher- though I disliked the staging of Passion (whilst adoring Elena's performance) I loved Company- memories of La Gish, anyone? Merrily was a mixed bag- but then it always will be without The Hills of Tomorrow.

I just felt the director of ITW didn't get it.

I would love to see Forum in that space though.

[bob8rich]

I saw the Donmar ITW and I loved it - possibly for the exact reasons that devonian disliked it. I loved that it was darker. I thought Sophie Thompson was superb as the Baker's Wife but also thought that Clare Burt stole the show - THE best Witch I've ever seen.

devonian, it seems we disagree on just about everything lol. I thought the Donmar Passion was simply fantastic - better than the NT production in every way. And though I thought Elena Roger was excellent, I thought David Thaxton stole the show.

I do agree with you that Company was excellent at the Donmar (but overall I preferred last year's Company at the Southwark Playhouse and John Doyle's Broadway version). And Sheila Gish was good but not great IMO. For me, Sophie Thompson stole that show - her Not Getting Married was stunning.

I loved the Donmar Merrily - Daniel Evans and Julian Ovendon both outstanding. Plus I think Merrily works far better without The Hills Of Tomorrow!

[devonian.t]

Haha, we are polar opposites but c'est la vie.

I found Passion clumsy in its transitions when it is a show which needs fluidity- those tables and chairs- oy!

I loved Daniel Evans, (and let's not forget 'Sunday') but I must have an irrational dislike of Julian O because I find him smug and forced every single time I see him.

It wasn't the darkness I disliked with ITW- Act 2 at the Phoenix was stunningly dark (did you see it?) with the collapsing set, stunning Last Midnight and crushing No More. What I disliked was the over-acting: people were not inhabiting the roles.

To be fair, I do not have a strong memory of Clare- which has to be a sign in itself. I have loved Clare since The Hired Man, so I would certainly have been open to her performance- it just didn't make a mark on me.

Sophie T was fab in Company- probably the best diction ever for that song.

So Bob, what do you make of the Forum idea? :)

[Musicaldudepeter]

Gish won the Olivier for Supporting Performance in a Musical for her role as Joanne, though Thompson was also nominated that year for her Amy.

Am fascinated to think that Thompson played the Baker's wife, she'd be marvelous

[devonian.t]

You know that big-eyed thing she does? Well, she did it too much. :)

[bob8rich]

Yes, devonian - Forum would be great in that space. Well, just about anything would be great in that space. Love the Donmar - except for the fact that in recent years I've found it incredibly difficult to book tickets for shows there.

And I did see ITW at the Phoenix, which was great - though not my favourite production. I wish I had seen the Landor Theatre's ITW, which some friends of mine rated as the best production of the show they'd ever seen.

Wish I could get to new York to see this summer's production in Central Park (especially as the amazing Cooper Grodin - who plays one of the Princes - performed some songs of mine in a couple of concerts a few years ago.)

Btw - LOVED the tables and chairs in Passion LOL - which I actually thought DID make the flow of the piece quite fluid. Isn't it strange how things strike different people in different ways?

[chrisampm2]

I'm confused by the mentions of the Donmar Merrily here. It included The Hills of Tomorrow. So devonian, you may have found Merrily a mixed bag but not because it cut that opening.

[devonian.t]

no, I mean at the end

[dgjbear]

I loved ITW at the Donmar....I remember thinking at the time that Sheriden Smith would do well. I have liked all the Donmar Sondheims other than Passion - but that is a flawed show IMHO

[ajh]

I completely agree with Devonian on Company and Into the Woods, but not on Passion which I thought exquisite.
I think that, because of the magic and illusions, ITW benefits from a bit of distance in staging, which is something one can never have at the Donmar of course. Therefore this version, for me, plodded and suffered from a lack of enchantment. I also disliked some of the casting: Clare Burt was a lacklustre Witch (not sure if the rumours of her being a last minute sub for Stockard Channing are true, but that would make sense), Sheridan Smith, at least on the night I saw it, was far too knowing, camp and "muggy" as LRRH, and Sophie Thompson as the Baker's Wife was a disaster. She used the same neurotic, kookie, quirky mannerisms that worked so well for Amy in Company (and are seen again currently to huge comic and dramatic effect in the Donmar's Physicists); but this shtik was, to me, sooo wrong for the Baker's Wife who should be the still voice of reason. When Imelda Staunton (in the original London), Joanna Gleason, and Jenna Russell (in Regents Park) were killed, I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Didn't feel like that about Thompson's bonkers B's Wife. She got an Olivier for it though....I was amazed.