Photo: Catherine Ashmore

Into the Woods is an evening of pure enchantment which is as magical and beguiling as its cast of giants, ravenous wolves, dashing princes and not-quite innocents. Stephen Sondheim's musical finds its ideal setting in the woodland surrounds of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre which has assembled a group of performers who together come up with that theatrical alchemy which makes you feel almost woozy with pleasure. Even though rain stopped the second half, the ninety minutes I saw easily makes it into my top ten of nights at the theatre.

The production is set in a kingdom populated by characters from children's stories such as Jack (of Beanstalk fame), Rapunzel, Cinderella and Red Ridinghood. All of whom are involved in their own stories and adventures whilst also having to get along with their neighbours within the fairytale community. The main plot strand involves a baker and his wife who have to get a number of objects in order to counteract a witch's curse and thus give birth to a perfectly healthy child.

Along the way Ms Riding Hood has a sexual awakening at the hands of a wolf, Rapunzel discovers the problems of having an overprotective mother, the baker and his wife wrestle with the dilemma of whether the ends justifies the means and everyone generally learns something about him- or herself.

Director Timothy Sheader comes up with a truly brilliant idea which frames the evening and successfully gives a unity to its disparate strands. The musical starts with a young boy in school uniform camping out in the woods, and it's this child who is given the narrator's role. It's soon clear that he's not just reporting events but actually controlling them. Occasionally, in moments of adversity, characters will look to the boy as if seeking guidance. The fact that these dramas, which are essentially about the conflicts of becoming an adult, are actually coming from a kid give the evening a depth which wouldn't be there with the usual adult narrator. The first act end with all the characters poised over the sleeping child in a way that appears both threatening yet also perhaps protective. It's a beautiful, poetic way of showing how our desires struggle within us both for good and for ill.

Musically, Into the Woods doesn't have any of Sondheim's greatest hits. However, Agony has always been one of my favourites and here it gets a show-stopping performance from the two princes (Michael Xavier and Simon Thomas). The only problem I find with this song is that such rousing, emotional music is coupled with comic lyrics.

With such a strong cast it seems unfair to single anyone out for praise but Beverly Rudd's Red Ridinghood is a complete joy in her innocent lasciviousness, and Jenna Russell, as the baker's wife, gives a genuine star performance.

Into the Woods continues until September 11.

For more information and tickets view:
www.openairtheatre.com