Download Press Night 8 June, 7.30pm

Media release
12 April 2016
A West Yorkshire Playhouse and Opera North co-production
INTO THE WOODS
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine
Director: James Brining
Conductor: James Holmes
Designer: Colin Richmond
Thursday 2 – Saturday 25 June 2016
Press Night 8 June, 7.30pm
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A major artistic collaboration between West Yorkshire Playhouse and Opera North comes to fruition this June
as Stephen Sondheim’s INTO THE WOODS opens in Leeds. Bringing together two of Leeds’ key arts organisations
for their first ever large scale co-production, it is directed by West Yorkshire Playhouse Artistic Director James
Brining and performed by singers from the Chorus of Opera North.
The result is a feast for both the eyes and ears. The costumes and set have been designed by Colin Richmond
who worked with James Brining on last year’s critically-acclaimed production of SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON
BARBER OF FLEET STREET for WNO (Welsh National Opera) and the cast features Opera North’s celebrated
Chorus whose vocal versatility and dramatic ability are admirably suited to Sondheim’s scintillating music and
sparkling lyrics. The conductor is James Holmes, a keen advocate of American musical theatre who rejoins James
Brining’s creative team after also conducting SWEENEY TODD.
James Brining, Artistic Director, West Yorkshire Playhouse, said
“For two of Leeds's great cultural organisations to come together on such an iconic title is a real coup. Having
collaborated successfully in the past, we are excited to cement our continuing relationship with Opera North as
we work together on creating this large scale production.
“Having directed Sweeney Todd, I am delighted to have the opportunity to work on another Sondheim
classic. Not only that, it is a real privilege to be able to marry the skills and theatrical creativity of West Yorkshire
Playhouse with the singers and musicians of one of Britain's great opera companies.”
Characters from several well-known fairy tales collide in Sondheim’s darkly comic fable. As their paths cross,
they soon discover that you should always be careful what you wish for – and that ‘Happy Ever After’ is only the
beginning.
The large-scale production has a principal cast of 23 performers drawn from the Chorus of Opera North, the
Company’s full-time professional ensemble. Playing Cinderella is Gillene Butterfield who starred as Julie Jordan
in Opera North’s production of CAROUSEL in 2012 and 2015. Appearing as Jack is Nicholas Watts, who has
recently played Count Almaviva in THE BARBER OF SEVILLE (2015) and Ferrando in COSÌ FAN TUTTE (2016). Dean
Robinson (Gaston, LA TRAVIATA, 2015) assumes the role of Baker. INTO THE WOODS also features a young
company.
Richard Mantle, General Director, Opera North comments:
“I am delighted that Opera North has joined forces with West Yorkshire Playhouse for this unique collaboration.
As a national company rooted in Leeds, we are deeply committed to forging strong creative partnerships within
the City, and delivering the highest standard of contemporary performances for audiences here in our home
region.
“Working with West Yorkshire Playhouse on a large-scale co-production has long been an ambition and takes us
to a new level of partnership. Into the Woods is one of the greatest late 20 th century works of musical theatre,
and this new production will combine the artistic muscle of both companies in order to create something
extraordinary.”
As his co-production of INTO THE WOODS runs in Leeds, James Brining opens SWEENEY TODD in Brussels,
directing his critically acclaimed co-production of Sondheim’s musical for La Monnaie. This staging, which runs
from 14 – 30 June, is performed by principals Scott Hendricks, Finnur Bjarnason, Hendrickje Van Kerckhove and
Christopher Gillett and a company drawn from La Monnaie Chorus. It marks the fifth incarnation of SWEENEY
TODD which was reworked as an operatic production with the WNO Chorus for national tour last year. His debut
production as incoming Artistic Director for West Yorkshire Playhouse, it was staged in 2013 in partnership with
Royal Exchange Theatre for the Playhouse’s epic Quarry stage and for Royal Exchange Theatre’s more intimate
in-the-round space. The production is based on his original staging for Dundee Rep, for which he won a TMA
Award for Best Musical.
Following its premiere staging at West Yorkshire Playhouse for Christmas 2015 James Brining's production of
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, co-produced with Music & Lyrics, is currently on a major year-long tour of the UK
and Ireland. Other productions for the Playhouse are THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE, THE CRUCIBLE, Alan
Bennett’s ENJOY and TALKING HEADS.
-Ends-
For further information, interviews and images please contact
West Yorkshire Playhouse:
Amanda Trickett, Senior Communications Officer
[email protected] 0113 213 7273
Steve Pratt, Communications Officer
[email protected] 0113 213 7272
Opera North:
Julia O’Sullivan, Head of Communications
julia.o’[email protected] | 0113 223 3526
Elizabeth Simmonds, Press Officer
[email protected] | 0113 213 5641
Rowland Thomas, Press Officer
[email protected] | 0113 223 3528
Cast includes:
Cinderella
Jack
Little Red Riding Hood
Baker
Baker’s Wife
Witch
Cinderella’s Prince
Stepmother
Florinda
Lucinda
Jack’s Mother
Mysterious Man
Narrator
Rapunzel
Rapunzel’s Prince
Granny / Cinderella’s Mother
Wolf
Cinderella’s Father
Steward
Ensemble
Gillene Butterfield
Nicholas Watts
Helen Évora
Dean Robinson
Louise Collett
Claire Pascoe
Ross McInroy
Miranda Bevin
Cordelia Fish
Anna Barry
Hazel Croft
Jeremy Peaker
Nicholas Butterfield
Amy Freston
Warren Gillespie
Rachel J Mosley
David Llewellyn
Garrick Forbes
Gordon D Shaw
Marie Claire Breen, Arwel Price, Campbell Russell, Nicola Unwin
Creative team:
Director
Conductor
Designer
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
Movement Designer
Puppet Designer
Video Designer
James Brining
James Holmes
Colin Richmond
Tim Mitchell
Ben Harrison
David Hulston
Rachael Canning
Douglas O’Connell
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Dates: 2 – 25 June 2016 (no performances on Sat 11 and 18)
Times: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, matinees Thu 1.30pm and Sat 25 June 2pm
Accessible performances
Audio Description: Tue 21 June 7.30pm and Sat 25 June 2pm
Captioning: Wed 22 June 7.30pm
British Sign Language: Friday 24 June 7.30pm
Post Show Discussion: Thursday 16 June 7.30pm
Tickets: £45- £13.00
Booking: 0113 213 7700 wyp.org.uk
Notes to editors
WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE
For Spring Summer 2016 West Yorkshire Playhouse presents a new adaptation of GREAT EXPECTATIONS
directed by Lucy Bailey; the world premiere staging of THE DAMNED UNITED adapted from David Peace's
novel, in a co-production with Red Ladder Theatre Company; Eve Ensler's THE FRUIT TRILOGY in association
with the Southbank Centre; OPENING SKINNER'S BOX, a co-production with Improbable and Northern Stage; a
new production of KES which visits community venues across Leeds following its Playhouse staging; James
Brining directs INTO THE WOODS, a co-production with Opera North and Alice Nutter writes BARNBOW
CANARIES. The Playhouse’s critically acclaimed production of Maxine Peake’s debut play BERYL premieres in
London, and West Yorkshire Playhouse and Music & Lyrics co-production CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG is on a
major year-long tour of the UK and Ireland.
West Yorkshire Playhouse has a reputation both nationally and internationally as a leading UK producing
theatre. The theatre is a cultural hub, a place where people gather to tell and share stories and to engage in
world class theatre. From large scale spectacle to intimate performance the Playhouse develops and makes
work for the stage, for found spaces, for touring, for schools and community venues. Alongside work for the
stage the Playhouse is dedicated to providing creative engagement opportunities, building and running
sustainable projects that reach out to a diverse range of communities. Supporting new and emerging artists is
key and the theatre provides creative space for new writers, directors, companies and individual theatre
makers to refine their practice.
OPERA NORTH
Opera North is England’s national opera company in the North and one of Europe’s leading arts organisations.
The Company is committed to producing work of the highest quality that excites, challenges and entertains. It
tours not only throughout the North of England and to London, but also to opera houses on the continent in
cities such as Prague and Barcelona, and performs at major international festivals including Edinburgh and
Ravenna. A vibrant, lively organisation, Opera North actively challenges conventional perceptions of opera.
Breathing new life into the classics, the Company is also a strong advocate of lesser-known works and a
champion of musical theatre. In addition, its versatile Chorus and Orchestra perform independently, constantly
revitalising their approaches to music-making.
Creativity and the development of individual skills is important throughout the Company from performers to
the highly talented team of technical, production and management staff. Education is also a vital part of the
work of the Company. Opera North Education is one of the leading arts education departments in the country
delivering a range of workshops and creative projects which encourage young people and communities to
explore the art form. Opera North is proud of its northern roots and provides a valuable resource for the
cultural life of the region and for the development of young talent.