PAUL SAVIDENT: Press Release for Laura Michelle Kelly and Joanna Riding confirm for Into The Woods at the Royal Albert Hall

Laura Michelle Kelly and Joanna Riding have agreed to join the cast for The Children’s Society’s 125 Anniversary performances of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s most loved and popular musicals, Into the Woods, at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 22 October 2006.

Laura Michelle Kelly will play the role of Cinderella for the two staged concert performances of Into The Woods at the Royal Albert Hall. Laura won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for last year’s lead role in Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre and appeared in Fiddler On The Roof (Minskoff Theater, Broadway, 2004), My Fair Lady (Drury Lane, 2003), and Mamma Mia! (Prince Edward Theatre, 2002). Laura recently released her debut album The Storm Inside and has also, on three separate occasions has had the privilege of performing for The Queen, including at Buckingham Palace as part of the Jubilee celebrations

Joanna Riding will play the role of Red Riding Hood for the two staged concert performances of Into The Woods at the Royal Albert Hall. Joanna received the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for My Fair Lady (Drury Lane, 2003) and was nominated for the same Olivier Award for The Witches of Eastwick (Drury Lane, 2001). Joanna is also known from her numerous TV roles including that of Terri in Where The Heart Is and has also had roles in Heartbeat, Midsomer Murders and Holby City.

Paul Savident, Producer of Into The Woods for The Children's Society, said: “I am delighted that Laura Michelle Kelly and Joanna Riding have nailed their names to the trees for the staged concert performances of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s magical musical Into The Woods at the Royal Albert Hall - they join Anita Dobson and Vinnie Jones who have already agreed to appear. With further names to be announced soon I know that we have a truly fabulous matinee and Royal Gala evening performance to celebrate this 125 year of The Children’s Society – a charity which does so much each year for the most vulnerable children".

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into The Woods combines classic fairy tales in a story about 'the complications of living in modern society and the difficult choices we encounter on the paths of our lives'. The stories - including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel - are joined with a new creation; the tale of The Baker and His Wife.

Further stars of stage, music and screen are currently being approached to participate in this magical event. All artistes appearing are subject to their professional commitments.

PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE DETAIL:

Production: INTO THE WOODS by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine

Theatre: ROYAL ALBERT HALL, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP

Dates: Sunday 22 October 2006 – 3.00pm & 7.30pm

Box Office Number: 020 7589 8212 – NOW ON SALE

Times: 3.00pm Matinee & 7.30pm Royal Gala Evening

Matinee Prices: £60, £55, £50, £45, £35, £25, £20 (inc a donation per ticket)

Royal Gala Evening Prices: £100, £80, £75, £60, £50, £40, £30, £20 (inc a donation per ticket)

Donations: Ticket prices include a donation of £10 per ticket for the matinee and ranging from £5 to £50 for the Royal Gala evening. Ticket excluding donation will be sold only on request on the day of performance.

Online Booking: www.royalalberthall.com and general agents (booking fees apply)

For INTERVIEWS, PRESS INFORMATION, and photos / IMAGES (when available - by e-mail) please contact Paul Savident on 020 8567 2089 or 07966 014911, fax 0870 051 6418, e-mail paul@savident.com or visit www.savident.com.

For further information about THE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY please contact ANIL RANCHOD on 020 7841 4422 or 07985 671013, email acr@childsoc.org.uk or visit www.childrenssociety.org.uk.

Notes to Editors:

§ The Children’s Society, which celebrates its 125 anniversary in 2006, is a national children’s charity working with over 50,000 children and teenagers every year, in 90 towns and cities. It works in partnership with communities, schools and families. It helps: children at risk on the streets; children in trouble with the law; young refugees; children with disabilities; young carers. Visit www.childrenssociety.org.uk

§ Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into The Woods combines classic fairy tales into a story about 'the complications of living in modern society and the difficult choices we encounter on the paths of our lives'. The stories - including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel - are joined with a new creation; the tale of The Baker and His Wife.

§ The Children’s Society’s Into the Woods is presented with the support of The Independent on Sunday and Theatre.com.

For INTERVIEWS, PRESS INFORMATION, and photos / IMAGES (when available - by e-mail) please contact Paul Savident on 020 8567 2089, fax 0870 051 6418, e-mail paul@savident.com or view www.savident.com.