The Old Vic has pulled the plug on director Terry Gilliam and choreographer Leah Hausman’s reimagined production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s magical musical Into the Woods.
Announced earlier this year as part of The Old Vic: Back Together season, a hybrid digital and live programme celebrating the re-opening of the theatre, the high profile Old Vic/Scenario Two co-production had been scheduled to play The Old Vic from 16 April until 9 July 2022.
The Old Vic announced the final production in the theatre’s comeback season had been cancelled just two weeks after Monty Python’s multi-award-winning stage and screen director encouraged his Facebook followers to watch US comedian Dave Chappelle’s controversial Netflix show The Closer.
A statement on the theatre’s website reads: ‘The Old Vic and co-producers Scenario Two have mutually agreed that the production of Into the Woods, scheduled for spring 2022, will not take place at The Old Vic. All ticket bookers will be contacted directly. The Old Vic wishes the show well for its future life.’
With no official reason given for the shelving of such a high-profile production, various media outlets have speculated that the decision was made following pressure from a large number of staff members who objected to the director’s views on subjects including trans rights and the #MeToo movement. Gilliam responded to The Old Vic decision by simply posting ‘Cancelled’ on his Facebook page.
There has been no official comment from Scenario Two about the future of Gilliam and Hausman’s Into the Woods.
Angela Thomas
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