Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods at Royal Exchange

The folks at the Royal Exchange are a highbrow bunch who would never sink to the level of putting on a Christmas pantomime. However, for the festive season they do like to stage something a little more light-hearted. So, coming in early December is Into the Woods, the Tony Award-winning play with music and lyrics by that maestro of Broadway, Stephen Sondheim. You may know of the film adaptation which was released last year, starring Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt. The fantastical story centres on a baker and his wife who set out end a curse placed on them by an evil witch. Travelling through an enchanted wood, they share a song or two with many classic fairy tale characters, including Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood. This production is directed by Matthew Xia, one of the RX Theatre’s rising stars, who makes his main stage debut.  Olivier Award-winning designer Jenny Tiramani has been tasked with recreating the forest ambience of the original production.

Fri 4 Dec – Sat 16 Jan, Royal Exchange Theatre, St. Anns Square, Manchester, M2 7DH. Tel: 0161 833 9833, Play times and prices vary, www.royalexchange.co.uk