NI Opera’s critically acclaimed production of ‘Into The Woods’ travels to West Australian Opera to open their Spring season in March 2023
Cameron Menzies’ spectacular production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical, ‘Into The Woods’ has been selected to open for the Spring 2023 season by West Australian Opera, who will be working with NI Opera’s creative team to remount the production in Perth, Australia.
‘Into The Woods’ was produced by NI Opera and staged at the Lyric Theatre in February 2022 to packed houses and brilliant reviews from critics and audiences. It will travel to Perth in Australia with the original Northern Irish creative team who will recreate the production with an Australian cast. The creative team comprise Director Cameron Menzies, Set and Costume Designer Niall McKeever, Movement Director Jennifer Rooney and Lighting Designer Kevin Treacy.
Press reactions to NI Opera’s production in February 2022
The Sunday Times: ‘This outrageously stylish revival of Sondheim’s 1986 hit musical showcases wonderful vocal performances and Menzies manages to tame what is a beast of a show.’
The Irish Times: ‘Only a national tour marketed to families could make it better.’
NI Opera’s Artistic Director Cameron Menzies comments: ‘Presenting our NI Opera production of Sondheim and James Lapine’s ‘Into The Woods’ internationally with West Australian Opera and showcasing the truly unique work of NI artists on the other side of the world is a remarkable achievement for our company. It speaks volumes about the quality and the far reach of what NI Opera is creating. This production allows us to show the world what the national opera company in Northern Ireland can create as leaders in our field. I thank West Australian Opera Artistic Director, Chris van Tuinen for programming this very special production and we can’t wait to remount our well-loved and highly successful production with an all-Australian cast next year.’
West Australian Opera’s Artistic Director, Chris van Tuinen said, “West Australian Opera prides itself on bringing the best productions from near and far for our artists and audiences to enjoy. Cameron Menzies’ new production of ‘Into The Woods’ has quickly become known as an exciting, authentic, and moving retelling of this great piece. I can’t wait to see it brought to life in Perth and my thanks to all the team at Northern Ireland Opera for making that possible.”
Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music and Opera at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland comments, “NI Opera is a dynamic, multi-award-winning, critically acclaimed opera company and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland is tremendously proud to be their Principal Funder. It is thrilling that NI Opera’s production of ‘Into The Woods’ will be showcased internationally with West Australian Opera this March where it will be seen and enjoyed by new audiences from the other side of the world!
Showcase opportunities such as these are vitally important in developing international recognition for our cultural organizations here and help to shine a light on the creative talent that is inherent to Northern Ireland; putting the region on the map for all the right reasons.’’
Vice Chairman of NI Opera’s Board, Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle said, ‘That Cameron Menzies production of ‘Into The Woods’ is of international quality is beyond dispute, but the Board are particularly delighted that his work will serve as such a vibrant cultural statement about Northern Ireland, and will also facilitate key international cultural and economic partnership and mentoring.’
