The first act is pretty similar to the traditional tales but the second act is altogether darker and seated in reality not happy endings.  Because the first act is very long when the show was on a pre-Broadway run in San Diego the audience, thinking the interval was the end, headed for the parking lot but were pursued by Stephen Sondheim shouting, “Come back!” 

The singing is of the highest standard, Nicola Hughes’s Witch is superlative, especially in “Last Midnight” but these singers can also act as Rashan Stone’s Baker so amply demonstrates but the show ensemble is well cast.   With the songs comes the clarity of diction which Sondheim’s lyrics deserve but the songs are also more tuneful than some of his less accessible musicals.

Monty Python lives as there is an eye opening visitor from the beanstalk house. Jack’s family has great wealth from the hen laying golden eggs but he learns money isn’t the key to happiness.  But you’ll love the gold jewellery Milky White has been given, gold nose ring, necklace and bracelets or should that be anklets?  This act is ultimately sad with many losses and mature themes of infidelity and death and not really suitable for small children. 

I loved Terry Gilliam’s Into the Woods and have no hesitation in awarding it five stars from Theatrevibe, the theatre site that doesn’t do stars.  It has to have a life after Bath!