Into The Woods

'The best book on the subject I've read. Quite brilliant' Tony Jordan, creator/writer, Life on Mars, Hustle We all love stories. But why do we tell them? And why do all stories function in an eerily similar way? John Yorke, creator of the BBC Writers' Academy, has brought a vast array of drama to British screens. Here he takes us on a journey to the heart of storytelling, revealing that there truly is a unifying shape to narrative forms - one that echoes the fairytale journey into the woods and, like any great art, comes from deep within. From ancient myths to big-budget blockbusters, he gets to the root of the stories that are all around us, every day. 'Marvellous' Julian Fellowes 'Terrifyingly clever ... Packed with intelligent argument' Evening Standard 'The most important book about scriptwriting since William Goldman's Adventures in the Screen Trade' Peter Bowker, writer, Blackpool, Occupation, Eric and Ernie

'The best book on the subject I've read. Quite brilliant' Tony Jordan, creator/writer, Life on Mars, Hustle We all love stories. But why do we tell them? And why do all stories function in an eerily similar way? John Yorke, creator of the BBC Writers' Academy, has brought a vast array of drama to British screens. Here he takes us on a journey to the heart of storytelling, revealing that there truly is a unifying shape to narrative forms - one that echoes the fairytale journey into the woods and, like any great art, comes from deep within. From ancient myths to big-budget blockbusters, he gets to the root of the stories that are all around us, every day. 'Marvellous' Julian Fellowes 'Terrifyingly clever ... Packed with intelligent argument' Evening Standard 'The most important book about scriptwriting since William Goldman's Adventures in the Screen Trade' Peter Bowker, writer, Blackpool, Occupation, Eric and Ernie

Desperate for a child, a baker and his wife journey into the woods to reverse a curse and change their luck. As the couple venture into the unknown, their story collides with Cinderella, Jack, Little Red Ridinghood, Rapunzel, witches, princes and giants. Featuring such classic songs as 'Giants in the Sky', 'Moments in the Woods', 'No One is Alone' and 'Children Will Listen', Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's audacious and beloved musical intertwines the Brothers Grimm's most famous fairy tales and reckons with the realities of 'happy ever after'. Into the Woods was first staged at the Old Globe Theatre, California, in 1986, and opened on Broadway the following year. That production went on to win three Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical. This edition features an exclusive introduction by David Benedict, Sondheim's authorised biographer. It was published alongside the 2025-26 revival at the Bridge Theatre, London, directed by Jordan Fein and with set and costume design by Tom Scutt. The production was named Best Musical Revival at the 2026 Olivier Awards and transferred to the West End later that year.

Desperate for a child, a baker and his wife journey into the woods to reverse a curse and change their luck. As the couple venture into the unknown, their story collides with Cinderella, Jack, Little Red Ridinghood, Rapunzel, witches, princes and giants. Featuring such classic songs as 'Giants in the Sky', 'Moments in the Woods', 'No One is Alone' and 'Children Will Listen', Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's audacious and beloved musical intertwines the Brothers Grimm's most famous fairy tales and reckons with the realities of 'happy ever after'. Into the Woods was first staged at the Old Globe Theatre, California, in 1986, and opened on Broadway the following year. That production went on to win three Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical. This editionfeatures an exclusive introduction by David Benedict, Sondheim's authorised biographer. Itwas published alongside the 2025-26 revival at the Bridge Theatre, London, directed by Jordan Fein and with set and costume design by Tom Scutt. The production was named Best Musical Revival at the 2026 Olivier Awards and transferred to the West End later that year.