Stephen Sondheim Old Friends - Sondheim / TV / Gielgud

[couldileaveyou]

Janie sang a nice "Ladies Who Lunch" a few years ago in one of Alex Parker's concerts at the Palace, and I think she also sings it in her cabaret show. So no surprise she fared better with that song

[thistimetomorrow]

yeah program is £12, put me right off buying one

[ladidah]

Programme prices are mad, nearly half the price of my actual ticket!

[SuttonPeron]

I didn´t buy one when I went. It was slightly less than half what my ticket cost. But I had never seen so many audience members with one, so it must be popular!

[solangelafitte]

I ended up buying one. As theatre programs go it was actually a lovely little read with everyone in the company sharing how they first got into Sondheim's music or memories of meeting him, and then extended thoughts from Cameron, Julia McKenzie and Matthew Bourne. And had a lovely mention of Haydn Gwynne and her involvement which I thought was a nice touch. Worth £12? Debatable. But felt more substantial than some of the programmes for £8-10 that are purely production photos.

[Peter]

Yes, I got one last night. It's definitely a step up from the usual programmes of old - this is perfect bound, heavy weight paper stock, and packed with content and minimal adverts. But I did gulp at the £12....

I did wonder what was going on with Janie Dee - I thought she was giving a great performance but having to be clearly helped through The little things you do together by her costar. And she went up on the lyrics to Ladies who lunch near the end - prompt was yelled from the wings, which she took up, but by then the orchestra had moved on so it did go rather wonky for a few lines until "a toast to that invincible bunch". Having said that, they are difficult songs - as a non performer I am amazed how singers get such long monologues in the right order - Bonnie could have swapped over a couple of verses of I'm still here and I'm not sure I would have noticed...

Everyone else was on form with Joanna Riding easily the highlight of the evening - I've always been lukewarm on Bernadette Peters and this evening did nothing to move the dial either way for me

[mrbarnaby]

So Janie Dee was covering for Clare Burt then?

[Peter]

Yes, though there was no pre-show announcement or anything (I didn’t see the cast board until I was on my way out and even then it doesn’t specifically mention it). The programme says “If a featured artist is unable to perform, their part will be played by one of their co-stars or co-star alternates.”

[Being Alive]

Oct 12, 2023 14:51:03 GMT mrbarnaby said:

So Janie Dee was covering for Clare Burt then?

Largely, I think Monique Young played Electra in Gimmick in her place

[Deleted]

I love Someone in a Tree, but as a freestanding (and longer) song I'm not sure it would hold as much appeal to the typical theatergoer as it does to Sondheim fans, particularly those of us who have seen Pacific Overtures.

[jj9692]

Was at the show this evening.

It was just pure magic. That's all I can really summon up right now.

Never realised how much I needed Lea Salongas Mrs Lovett and Mamma Rose in my life. She was definitely the highlight of the evening.

Bernadette Peters did well. As previously said, her voice is not as strong as it once was, but the emotion was raw.

[lou105]

Clare Burt was back tonight

[ladidah]

Lea as Mrs Lovett was so incredible - she transformed. I didn't realise it her until about 5 mins in.

[capybara]

I went along on Thursday evening and I can’t imagine how this could have been done any better. On one hand, it’s hard to get it wrong when the source material is so out of this world but, if anything, that adds even more pressure for this multitalented company to get it so right.

Lea Salonga is the star turn, showing the world why she would make a perfect Mrs Lovett or Mama Rose in the coming years. Everything in this revue gravitates around her incredible presence.

Bernadette Peters not have the same voice she had 30 or 40 years ago but it really doesn’t matter. She still sounds phenomenal and her passion for Sondheim’s music radiates from her body out across the auditorium whenever she’s on stage (pretty much the whole show!).

This revue also highlights how many incredible roles Sondheim wrote for older leading ladies. Whether it’s Bonnie Langford belting out ‘I’m Still Here’ or the likes of Janie Dee, Clare Burt or Joanna Riding tearing up the rest of the back catalogue, Sondheim knew the weight that experience added to his music.

The ‘old’ friends may steal the show (Gavin Lee, take as many bows as you like, what a physical talent!) but a huge shout out to the younger cast among the company too. Christine Allado’s vocals have to be heard to be believed, while Bradley Jaden’s wolf was quite something.

Such a wonderful night of beautiful music and lyrics, performed by some of the best talent spanning generations. I’m seeing this again (in the front row next time) but with rush tickets available, it could spell multiple visits…

Five stars.

[alece10]

I was lucky enough to have been at the original gala last year which couldn't be beaten but this concert was by no means the 2nd cousin.
Full list of the "A" cast on last night (Friday). Sat in the dress circle which was pretty full but still several empty seats. The theatre was being a bit cheeky as they had a House Full sign outside.
I absolutely loved this concert and it was very, very slick in its staging. Lots more costumes than the gala and they must have bought London's stock of sequins.
Great performances all round and, as others have already said, Lea Salonga comes out top.
Bernadette was iconic as always but I do wonder if some people there really didn't really know who she was as I didn't feel she got the ovation she deserved for her status.
There has been some critics on here with regard to Bonnie Langford. I have to disagree as she was a total trooper complete with her trademark splits and actually got bigger applause than Bernadette. Afterall, for many people, she is probably the biggest name there.
(Talking to one of the ushers at the interval she told me that Bonnie gave all the FOH staff chocolates at the press night, how lovely is that).
Even though Sondheim always gives the best songs to females the men didn't come out too badly last night either. Always been a fan of Bradley Jaden but last night proved what a great powerful voice he has as does Damian Humbley.
One person I was really looking forward to seeing was Jac Yarrow as I have only ever seen him as Joseph and small panto roles. Well the boy done good and gave a great performance.
The only number that didn't work for me was Buddys Blue's with Jason Pennycooke. It's not one of my favourite songs but it just doesn't work out of context and just seems a bit odd.
Orchestra sounded great and really came into their own with the Merrily overture for the Act 2 opening.

Bought the programme which was a hefty £12 however it is a proper coffee table book full of fantastic photos and lots of reading material so well worth the money compared with many programmes these days which are full of adverts and pages and pages of who the producers are.

All in all a great night out and I am hoping to see it at least once more before it finishes.

[mkb]

I have a DMT+ membership that comes with programme vouchers, and this turned out to be a good-value use for one of them!

[abitoftap]

I've a ticket for this Wednesday's 2.30 matinee for sale on Noticeboard due to illness. £125 stalls seat for £30. If you're interested please drop me a message.

[andrew]

Oct 14, 2023 8:07:47 GMT alece10 said:

Bernadette was iconic as always but I do wonder if some people there really didn't really know who she was as I didn't feel she got the ovation she deserved for her status.

Agreed with your whole review, but I hate the US habit of applauding big names when they've not done anything. Bernadette got rapturous applause for her numbers in yesterday's matinee all the performers were world class and they all deserve the same recognition in my book.

I think there's a broad consensus that Buddy's Blues and the HMP video should be cut, I'm guessing it's there as it's a comedic number for a male, but it's not a great song even in context, never mind outside of it. They should've given The Road You Didn't Take to Pennycooke instead in that slot. 

Loved this show so much, a huge treat for Sondheim fans.

[marob]

I know Bernadette doing all shows has been discussed, but what about Lea? They’re the two I really want to see. The rest I’ve already seen, or will probably see again in something soon.

[Being Alive]

No one has any advertised holiday or scheduled absences.

[ladidah]

I am still thinking about this weeks later, will have to book again and sit in the stalls.

[ruraljuror]

Has anyone heard anything about a Broadway transfer for this??

[damaskanddark]

Where is the CD?

[apubleed]

Decided to return after the first preview (+ original concert) and the show is still in incredible shape. The energy is insane, the quality of the performances are excellent across the board (even better than first preview), the audience seemed to be having a good time. Bernadette really hits hard with the emotion of "Send in the Clowns" and "Losing My Mind" and I think THAT is what people are feeling - they aren't just applauding her because she is a legend. Similarly, she is having SO much fun and is SO funny with songs like "Broadway Baby" and "You Gotta Get a Gimmick" and I think the audience are eating that up. How often can you see a 75 year old try to be sexy and actually seem a little bit...sexy? It's hilarious and fun and unusual.

Lea of course brings the vocal power for those looking for it - and a brand new Sondheim sound for those who are sick of hearing the same people sing the same songs over the years. This was an inspired casting choice.

It's not lighting the box office on fire but so far they seem to be getting by. Hope that continues.

[bigredapple]

Checked TodayTix at 2pm today and there were still rush available. First offer was in the upper, tried again and got stalls J. Great seat for the price!