Review: Stephen Sondheim’s OLD FRIENDS, Gielgud Theatre
Photo credit: Danny Kaan
Our goodness us…where to start…
We were privileged to be invited to the Gielgud Theatre to see what can only be described as legendary performers performing legendary songs from the songbook of a legendary composer and lyricist.
A tribute to the late great deity of musical theatre himself, boasting a line up of (one and all) musical theatre juggernauts, headed up by stage icons Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. A cast like that…. singing songs by Sondheim… how could it go wrong? Safe to say expectations were high!
The question is, did the show live up to our collected expectations? OF COURSE IT DID! From start to finish, the show is an absolute joy and heartfelt, touching tribute to the man who touched our musical theatre souls.
The evening flows effortlessly between numbers and musicals alike, including all of his great shows such as Sunday in the Park with George, Company, Into the Woods, Gypsy, Follies, West Side Story , Merrily We Roll Along and (a real crowd favourite on the night) Sweeney Todd, where Jeremy Secomb and Lea Salonga are delectable as Todd and Lovett, making us think….. we know the show is currently playing in Broadway, but we NEED the Demon Barber to come back to a West End stage very soon. Secomb would make a stupendous Sweeney.
The audience are treated to astounding performances throughout the night and if we reviewed each number that deserved to be mentioned, this would be a long ole review, so we will just mention some of the stand out numbers…from a show of nothing but stand out numbers. So - super stand out numbers if you will!
We were blown away by Joanna Riding’s rendition of ‘Getting Married Today’. Riding is a complete force of nature, along with patron of pizazz herself Bonnie Langford who does what she does best and gives it her absolute all in a gorgeous rendition of ‘I’m Still Here’.
Two other performances that had us marvelling at the comedy timing and utter talent were Janie Dee singing ‘The Boy From’ and the always impeccable Gavin Lee singing ‘Could I Leave You?’
Also… we don’t know what the question is QUITE yet… but we do know that Bradley Jaden playing the Wolf in Into the Woods is the answer. What a supreme talent!
There’s not a dry eye in the house when Peters sings a hauntingly beautiful rendition of ‘Send in the Clowns’ and there DEFINITELY isn’t when the whole ensemble finishes the first act with ‘Sunday’.
With a songbook as long and revered as Sondheim’s, we were always going to be left craving some songs that didn’t make the cut, it can’t be helped. Songs we would of LOVED to see, that we didn’t, were ‘I Remember, ‘Stay With Me’, ‘Not While I’m Around’, ‘Finishing the Hat’ and ‘Rose’s Turn’ but let us stress, we are just being incredibly greedy here, there were more than enough fantastic songs performed - we just clearly couldn’t get enough.
If the cast line up wasn’t impressive enough, the creative team behind the show includes Cameron Mackintosh, Matthew Bourne, Stephen Mear and Julia McKenzie. All creative Goliath’s in their own right, it just doesn’t get any better…. We mean it Besties, it really doesn’t.
There is a simplistic yet beautiful showbiz set designed by Matt Kinley, with the railings manipulated into spelling Stephen Sondheim which is just gorgeous to see, along with some truly tear jerking moments of projection, designed by George Reeve.
We will always remember you Sondheim, your music will continue to speak to people for generations to come and this show honours your legacy with an absolute vigour. Thank you for everything from the bottom of our Bestie hearts.
What a night! There are so many talented stars on the stage - a complete theatrical constellation.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: James Edge
Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends plays at London’s Gielgud Theatre until 6 January, with tickets available here.
