Northern Ireland Opera announces the full casting for Into The Woods, its first musical production of 2022, staged at the Lyric, Belfast from 3 to 27 February.
The 18 strong line-up, hailing predominantly from Northern Ireland, includes major West-End performers as well as stalwarts across Theatre, Musical Theatre and Opera genres.
Wendy Ferguson, who has appeared in major Musical Theatre shows in the West-End throughout her 25 year career including Phantom of The Opera (HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE), OLIVER! (THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE) and Mary Poppins (International Tour) will play Jack’s Mother and this marks her first production back in her native country.
Well-known Northern Irish actor Sean Kearns who has also appeared in a variety of West-End roles including Comedy About A Bank Robbery (CRITERION); Wicked (APOLLO), The Commitments (PALACE), Billy Elliot (VICTORIA PALACE) and the 39 Steps (CRITERON) is the Narrator and leads a talented cast which also includes Alistair Brookshaw (Caroline or Change, PLAYHOUSE/HAMPSTEAD THEATRE, Sweeney Todd, ENO) and Sinéad O’Kelly (Michael Gallen’s Elsewhere, Glenarm Festival of Voice winner 2013) who have been cast as the Baker and Baker’s wife respectively. A surprise Cameo role will be announced shortly.
This new epic production of Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s Into The Woods, one of the most iconic and popular shows in the musical theatre canon, richly laden with symbolism, magic and metaphor, will be directed by NI Opera’s Artistic Director Cameron Menzies. His critically-acclaimed career spans the world of opera, theatre, musical theatre, film and cabaret.
Cameron will draw on his expansive skills and influences across the performing arts to create a showstopper, spotlighting the best of Northern Irish music and creative talent including Enniskillen-born designer Niall McKeever, who will be leading on a spectacular set and costume design. Musical direction will be by Peter Mitchell (Snow White, Dick Whittington, LONDON PALLADIUM, Sister Act Tour, 42nd Street Tour) and movement direction by Jennifer Rooney.
