TICKETS for Queen Elizabeth’s Schools Theatre Academy’s production of “Into The Woods” are now on sale from the School Library at Western Road (01363 778365).

The performances run from Tuesday, February 2 to Saturday, February 6, starting at 7.30pm, with a matinee performance on the Saturday starting at 2.30pm, and take place in the Drama Hall on the Western Road campus.

With a large cast of students from Years 9 – 13, rehearsals are now entering their final few weeks with the last finishing touches being added to ensure this production does not disappoint.

Sondheim’s beautiful score has presented many challenges but the talented cast have risen to the task with skill and enthusiasm.

“Into The Woods” intertwines the plots of several Brother’s Grimm and Charles Perrault fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests.

The main characters are taken from "Little Red Riding Hood”, "Jack and the Beanstalk”, "Rapunzel” and "Cinderella”, as well as several others.

The musical is tied together by an original story involving a childless baker and his wife and their quest to begin a family, endeavoring to lift a family curse placed on them by the neighbourhood witch.

As they head off into the woods to get their wish, their paths cross with many other classic storybook characters from Princes and Wolves to Giants and Mysterious figures.

Vicky Evans, director, told the “Courier”: “The wonderful sets, designed and crafted in-house by Mike Crooks and Robert Logan, are already coming together to create a magical fairy tale woodland where anything can happen.

“Lucy Welsman is working her magic once more with our ever-talented orchestra and supporting her this year is Sam Hatchell as assistant MD, who has helped to guide us through the many musical numbers. I don’t know what we ever did without him!

“As we move in to the last three weeks of rehearsal, costumes are starting to appear, props sourced and made, wigs quaffed and set painted!

“Make sure you get your tickets fast before they sell out and come and join us as we take you on a magical journey ’Into The Woods’!”

Alan Quick