Stuart Pedlar was brought to Brisbane to direct Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods, the major final year production for the Queensland Conservatorium's musical theatre students.

"I was shocked at how good the standard was," he said.

"I thought it was as good, in fact better, than most students I've seen do anything in the UK."

Since its Broadway debut in 1987, Into the Woods has become one of Sondheim's most popular works, due to its dark humour, contemporary take on fairytales and exploration of what happens after the "happily ever after".

Two invented characters, the Baker and his wife, meet fairytale favourites such as Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (of Beanstalk fame) and Cinderella in their quest to have a child. But all desires and actions have a cost and characters soon learn to be careful what they wish for.

Pedlar, a Sondheim specialist, said he rarely thought of his 27-strong cast as students.

"They are top, professional people, the work they are doing is magnificent and not only have they risen to the challenge, they've relished it," he said.

"They realised what a wonderful work it is, and actually I feel privileged to do this work."

Jessica Kate Ryan, who plays Little Red Riding Hood, said she had been singing along to the score since she was gifted it by a drama teacher as a teenager.

"It's insanely clever. The thing I love about Stephen Sondheim's writing is that it is extremely intellectual and everything that you need is in the text," she said.

"And the way he's written it, the words are incredible to say."

Ryan said Sondheim's genius lay in his ability to capture people's desire for connection above anything else.

"It makes me feel better that someone's noticed that even though the world is a dark and deep place,  that we're not alone, and that there's always going to be someone that's taken notice."

Ryan is eagerly looking forward to the long-awaited film version of Into the Woods, being released by Disney this Christmas.

The adaptation is causing consternation in some circles, with rumours of unpopular changes.

"I don't think Sondheim would let anything too bad happen to his work," Ryan said.

"He is noted for being particular and meticulous in his writing and I don't think he would ever let anybody get the rights to his show and damage it."

Into the Woods plays at the Queensland Conservatorium at South Bank from August 22 to 30. Tickets are $37.50 available online.