Young performers shine in spectacular summer production
Audiences were treated to an enchanting journey Into The Woods by Tameside Youth Drama in their summer production last week.
The group sang and charmed their way through the junior version of the celebrated musical, where Brothers Grimm fairytale famously meets Brothers Grimm fairytale, paths cross, happily-ever-afters take a few detours, and wishes eventually come true.
All the action unfolded against a magnificent Hyde Festival Theatre backdrop, creating an immersive woodland setting, with the ensemble becoming the trees for the dramatic scenes as the story branched out in all directions.
Into The Woods follows the adventures of the Baker and his wife, tasked with collecting four items for the evil Witch so that they might reverse a curse and have a child of their own, while the Witch, of course, has wicked designs of her own.
Their journey sees them cross paths with Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack, conveniently looking to sell his cow to the highest bidder, all interwoven into a comedic, cunning plot.
More than 40 youngsters, aged from seven to 17, were involved in bringing this magical, although on occasion traditionally dark tale to life, where good eventually triumphs over evil.
Tameside Youth Drama ‘veteran’ Ned Evans rose to the occasion to play the Baker, alongside Freya Sibson as his wife, whose delightful singing has enthralled audiences in previous shows at the Festival Theatre.
Poppy Adamson stepped effortlessly into Cinderella’s shoes while trying to keep hold of them, and Maisie Stevens was suitably forlorn as Rapunzel, locked away in the doorless tower.
Bella-Rose Taylor was excellent as the hapless Jack, selling Milky White the cow (James Earnshaw) for a handful of beans, while Jorgie-Leigh Dodd was simply spot on as the innocent Little Red Riding Hood, pursued by the Wolf through the forest.
George Partington made for a genuinely frightening Wolf, and the scene involving Granny (Macie Jones) and Little Red Riding Hood’s rescue from the belly of the beast was creatively and comically handled for a young audience.
Ava Evans was striking as the endlessly plotting wicked Witch, with June Moore keeping the action on track as a highly expressive and impressive storyteller in the role of Narrator.
Princes Freddie Shaw and Michael Brickell, who chased after their respective love interests Cinderella and Rapunzel, made for a fabulously entertaining and wonderfully comedic double act, proving that being charming can sometimes be a full-time job.
Harry Melling, meanwhile, gave a gripping performance as the Mysterious Man and ‘strange spirit' of the forest.
Cinderella’s Mother (Scarlet Clarke), Stepmother (Célestielle Rugero-Birch), Father (James Minshull), Stepsisters Florinda (Evelyn Earnshaw) and Lucinda (Rénee Flowers), Jack’s Mother (Erin Kay) and the Steward (Grace Lonie) were all brilliant in their respective roles too.
More than 30 children and young people were involved in bringing the forest and festival scenes to life, singing their way through familiar musical numbers with infectious enthusiasm, while top marks must also go to the sound, set, lighting and special effects crew, whose work added plenty of theatrical magic.
It proved another difficult task to choose this production’s Reporter Award winner, but that accolade was shared on this occasion between Jorgie-Leigh Dodd (Little Red Riding Hood) and Freddie Shaw (Cinderella’s Prince).
All the main cast deserved High Achievement certificates, and congratulations must go to everyone involved on the successful staging of a magnificently entertaining show that proved you don’t need a magic bean to grow something special.
Tameside Youth Drama continue to make giant strides as the group prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary this September.
A special ‘Variety Celebration’ show will be staged at Hyde Festival Theatre on Saturday, September 19 from 7pm to mark 40 years of performance, friendship, creativity and community.
Expect a variety of acts and plenty of entertainment as the group celebrates its beginnings in 1986 in Audenshaw, having been founded by Dennis and Jean Nash to provide something for young people to do, helping children gain skills and confidence.
Today the group continues to go from strength to strength, with weekly workshops at Rayner Stephens High School in Dukinfield.
Tickets for the anniversary show are available from https://www.sparksem.co.uk/
For more details about the group visit https://www.tamesideyouthdramagroup.co.uk/
Review by Nigel Skinner
