As an NSTA representative, I was lucky enough to attend the Emanuel School production of Into the Woods on Wednesday 11th March 2026. With its intertwining fairy-tale storylines and famously complex score, Into the Woods is no easy musical to perform. However, this production successfully captured both the humour and emotional depth of the show while creating a performance that often felt far beyond what might normally be expected from a school production.

With a book by James Lapine and a celebrated score by Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods intertwines several Brothers Grimm fairy tales to explore the complex consequences of “happily ever after” in a darkly humorous and sophisticated musical. The narrative follows a Baker and his Wife, desperate for a child; Cinderella, yearning to attend the King’s Festival; Little Red Riding Hood, who wishes to visit her grandmother in the woods; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his Wife discover their infertility is due to a Witch’s curse, they embark on a quest to break it. Since its Broadway debut in 1987, the production has earned significant critical acclaim, including three 1988 Tony Awards – notably for Best Original Score – and two 1991 Olivier Awards.

This was an ambitious and thoroughly entertaining performance that highlighted the talent, dedication, and collaboration of a huge number of pupils both on and off the stage. One of the most striking aspects of the production became clear the moment the audience walked into the hall. The set design had quite literally transformed the entire space into a woodland setting. This decision was a stroke of genius, immediately immersing the audience in the fairytale setting of the musical before the performance had even begun. From that moment, it felt clear that the bar had been set extremely high and that something truly special was about to unfold on stage.

At the heart of the story are the Baker and the Baker’s Wife; their performances are central to the success of the show. Throughout the musical, as different fairy-tale characters enter and leave the story, the Baker and his wife provide the narrative thread that holds everything together. Max and Marina carried this responsibility with confidence and warmth, and their chemistry on stage made it easy for the audience to trust them to guide the story forward. Their performances balanced humour, vulnerability, and sincerity, making their journey through the woods feel genuine and engaging.

Another standout performance came from Harry as Jack. His portrayal captured the character’s innocence and enthusiasm, particularly in his relationship with Milky White. In the early parts of the show, Jack’s affection for his cow created many comedic and light-hearted moments that were played extremely well. However, what made the performance particularly strong was Harry’s ability to shift into more emotional territory later in the musical, bringing real depth to Jack’s storyline as the consequences of the characters’ wishes begin to unfold.

Eva’s performance as the Witch was another highlight. The role demands both strong vocals and commanding stage presence, and Eva delivered both with skill. Her performance had a dramatic intensity that felt reminiscent of the powerful musical numbers in Wicked, capturing a similar theatrical energy. Whenever she appeared on stage, she immediately drew the audience’s attention.

Across the wider cast there were strong performances throughout. Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Rapunzel were all portrayed with personality and confidence, helping bring the fairy-tale world of the woods to life. The Wolf, in particular, provided some of the most memorable comedic moments, using exaggerated physicality and animalistic mannerisms to great effect.

Milky White was another surprisingly captivating presence on stage. Even during scenes where there was a lot happening, it was easy to find yourself watching what Milky White was doing. This level of detail demonstrated the care and creativity that had gone into every corner of the stage, ensuring that the performance space always felt alive.

One of the most impressive elements of the entire production, however, was the music. The fact that the score was performed by a student band is genuinely remarkable. Sondheim’s music is famously complex, yet the band played with such precision and confidence that it often felt like listening to a professional orchestra. Everything was perfectly in sync, supporting the performers seamlessly throughout the show, and at no point did it feel as though a single beat was missed. The musical accompaniment elevated the entire production and helped create the sense that this was a fully realised theatrical experience. In fact, the band’s performance was so impressive that it felt like a shame they were not brought out at the end to receive their own applause. Considering the level of coordination and rehearsal required to bring such a demanding score to life, their contribution was extraordinary.

This production of Into the Woods was a remarkable demonstration of collaboration, creativity, and commitment. While there were many standout performances, the real success of the show lay in the collective effort of everyone involved. From the actors and musicians, to the designers and crew working behind the scenes, the level of professionalism and teamwork was genuinely impressive. Absolutely everybody who was involved in this production from start to finish should be incredibly proud of what they achieved. The result was a polished and engaging performance that showed just how much can be accomplished when a large group of pupils work together to bring a complex musical to life.