Into the Woods → Elder Conservatorium of Musical Theatre

 Ventured Into the Woods last night! 

Congratulations to the 2025 cohort of the Adelaide University Elder Conservatorium of Musical Theatre for a delightful first production for the year! 


Into the Woods subverts the idea of “happily ever after” by weaving together classic fairytales into a tale of intertwined conflicts and consequences. It begins as a humorous exploration of the classic fairytale tropes, into a deeper questioning of the true morals of these stories. 


In an exciting new approach, ECMT’s adaption was set in Australian suburbia, which was a clever way to spark initial intrigue and also many laughs within the audience - especially when the esky-cow appeared! The cast entertainingly played into some nostalgic Aussie stereotypes through their modern reinvention of these classic characters, which was refreshing to watch! 


A show with a Stephen Sondheim score is no easy feat, but Saturday night’s cohort proved they have the vocal talent to execute his most challenging notes. Ellie and Ryan were an incredible pairing as the Baker and Baker’s Wife, grasping the emotional turmoil these characters go through, especially in the second act. Bree as Cinderella was also a super impressive vocalist, balancing Cinderella’s fairytale quality with her emotional vulnerability. Jaxon and Ranz as both Princes were excellent as continuous comic relief throughout the chaos of the plot, again humorously exaggerating the stereotypical “fairytale prince” character. Lara as the Witch gave this character a more human dimension, showcasing her dynamic vocals that are required for the role. Just to name a few standouts! 


All in all, this show allowed the cohort to showcase their diverse strengths as performers. We love to see a refreshing take on an old tale! I look forward to seeing them again at the end of the year! 

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