A West Yorkshire Playhouse and Opera North Co-Production

A West Yorkshire Playhouse and Opera North Co-Production

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 Streetfor 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 aprincipal 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 CAROUSELin 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 alsofeatures 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 20th 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, FinnurBjarnason, 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

0113 213 7273

Steve Pratt, Communications Officer
0113 213 7272

Opera North:

Julia O’Sullivan, Head of Communications

julia.o’ | 0113 223 3526

Elizabeth Simmonds, Press Officer

| 0113 213 5641

Rowland Thomas, Press Officer

| 0113 223 3528

Cast includes:

CinderellaGillene Butterfield

JackNicholas Watts

Little Red Riding HoodHelen Évora

BakerDean Robinson

Baker’s WifeLouise Collett

WitchClaire Pascoe
Cinderella’s PrinceRoss McInroy

StepmotherMiranda Bevin

FlorindaCordelia Fish

LucindaAnna Barry

Jack’s MotherHazel Croft

Mysterious ManJeremy Peaker

NarratorNicholas Butterfield

RapunzelAmy Freston

Rapunzel’s PrinceWarren Gillespie

Granny / Cinderella’s MotherRachel J Mosley

WolfDavid Llewellyn

Cinderella’s FatherGarrick Forbes

StewardGordon D Shaw

EnsembleMarie Claire Breen, Arwel Price, Campbell Russell, Nicola Unwin

Creative team:

DirectorJames Brining

ConductorJames Holmes

DesignerColin Richmond

Lighting DesignerTim Mitchell

Sound DesignerBen Harrison

Movement DesignerDavid Hulston

Puppet DesignerRachael Canning

Video DesignerDouglas 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.