Literary Tour of London and Into the Woods

On Wednesday 18 March, A Level English pupils started off with a literary walk around London for 90 minutes and I must say that the part of the literary walk that stayed with me the most was visiting Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. It wasn’t just interesting because of its connection to William Shakespeare, but because of the story behind its reconstruction. I found it genuinely moving that Sam Wanamaker dedicated so much of his life to rebuilding the theatre yet died before seeing it fully complete. There’s something almost poetic about that; it feels like a reminder that literature and art often outlive the people who create or restore them.

Later that evening, we saw Into the Woods at The Bridge Theatre, which completely shifted the tone from historical reflection to something much more playful yet surprisingly dark. In brief, the plot follows several fairy tale characters: Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, and Rapunzel- whose stories intertwine through a baker and his wife’s quest to lift a curse placed on them by a witch. What starts as a familiar set of fairy tale journeys becomes more complicated in the second half, showing the consequences of their wishes and actions. What I found especially interesting was how the musical compared to The Bloody Chamber. Both texts play with traditional fairy tales, but while Carter’s stories are darker and more overtly subversive, Into the Woods uses humour and music to explore similar themes. Both challenge the idea of “happily ever after,” showing that endings are rarely simple. However, Carter’s work feels more intense and symbolic, whereas the musical balances seriousness with entertainment, making its message more accessible but still thought-provoking. I loved the moral ambiguity of the characters like the witch which made them feel very human.

The musical also cleverly played with the original fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm. At first, the stories follow familiar paths where Cinderella attends the ball, Jack climbs the beanstalk but then they’re twisted. Characters face consequences that are often ignored in the originals, and their desires don’t always lead to happiness. This made the stories feel more realistic, almost like a commentary on the dangers of blindly chasing wishes. Finally, the set design was phenomenal, it was dynamic and immersive- making the woods feel both magical and unpredictable.

Overall, the trip to London made me realise how stories can be experienced in completely different ways – through history, place, and performance. The trip made me feel like I wasn’t just learning about literature but stepping inside it.

By Milli D in Lower Sixth