When Jesse O'Connor plays the witch, she is the stereotypical witch from a number of fairy tales. "The witch is the initiator of all the trouble ... I am the one egging on the Baker and The Baker's Wife to go on this quest," says Jesse. "I am evil ... or am I? We don't know yet.
"Every character is significant to their quest,"
"We are like stepping stones," says Ela. She loves her character. "She so evil, and quirky."
"But no-one is necessarily good or bad," says Jesse. "Don't go to see the show with any expectations."
"Yeah, you know nothing," says Ela.
"I did Into the Woods in Year7 in Australia, and I was Little Red Riding Hood," says Jesse. But she really wanted to be the witch, and now she is.
"And she's amazing." says Ela, in a stage whisper.
Ela says the cast and crew have become like a family, helping each other on stage and off. "Everyone is just so nice."
Both have made names for themselves as performers and would love to carry on.
Belle McKenzie comes from a family of performers and she has been in lots of shows, including Shakespeare in the Park ... "But this is tougher," she says. "It's probably the most challenging play I've been in, ever."
Belle did not audition for Cinderella. It was Graham Dack, she says, who saw her potential as Cinderella when she entered the stage.
She loves the role, despite her character being treated badly, but she has her butterfly moment ... "But finds she actually doesn't mind being a caterpillar."
She says she's usually cast as comedic relief, or a man, so this role is a welcome change.
She says Terry Lobb must be commended for the costumes. "She has this clear vision, and whatever that vision is, comes to life. I don't know how she does it."
Into the Woods opens on Wednesday, July 6 at 7.30 at Amdram Theatre in Guyton St.