Returning for one night only, musical director Alex Parker brings an intimate evening of the music & lyrics of the great Stephen Sondheim. Featuring a trio of musicians and three West End Olivier nominated favourites; Jac Yarrow (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, London Palladium), Sophie-Louise Dann (currently starring in Wicked) and Laura Pitt-Pullford (Standing at The Sky’s Edge, National Theatre). The evening will feature songs from Sondheim’s canon, from shows such as Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, A Little Night Music, Follies & many more. Alex grew up Guildford, and went to Guildford County School, and so is thrilled to be coming home for an evening of music at the iconic Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.
Review by Stephen Gilchrist
In September 2023 I was at the Mill Studio in Guildford (part of the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre) to see a production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s ‘Sunday in the Park with George’. I wrote then that I have never seen a more exquisite production of the show, pared down to a bare stage, some video visuals, a cast of fifteen and a six-piece orchestra under the baton of Alex Parker, whose production company Quick Fantastic presented the show
I was reminded of this as Alex Parker, hosting this Cabaret, reflected on his love of Sondheim’s work. I am not usually moved by a cabaret. I often love and applaud a cabaret, and usually when they are presented by my favourite artistes, but moved? No. Not until tonight.
This presentation has no conceptual context. It is not Side by Side by Sondheim, nor the semi narrative conceit of ‘Putting it Together’ or ‘Marry Me a Little’, nor the biographical ‘Sondheim on Sondheim’. On stage were three superb musical theatre performers, with microphones, behind music stands and in front of three stools, with Parker himself, casually dressed and musically directing at the Bechstein.
To visit a show such as this, an evening of Sondheim, is to Sondheim fans (and, full disclosure, I am a member of the Stephen Sondheim Society) is like coming home. You will be sure of a welcome as the composer’s music and lyrics, sometimes complex and sometimes lyrical, wrap themselves around you.
In this programme Jac Yarrow, Sophie-Louise Dann and Laura Pitt-Pullford gave us a masterclass in the exposition of Sondheim’s work. The set was obviously carefully thought out with affection, reminding us that his character numbers are virtually one act plays and without the distraction of the trappings of extraneous glitz were served up, not only, sung beautifully but acted to perfection.
There were so many highlights, one, just following the other and rewarded with love and applause by the audience. Yarrow’s ‘Everybody Say’s Don’t’ from Anyone Can Whistle, was loud and angry. Duetting with Laura Pitt-Pullford in ‘Any Moment’ and ‘Moments in the Woods’ form ‘Into the Woods’ reminded us that he would make a superb Prince in a production of the show, and she a ‘Baker’s Wife’. Sophie-Louise Dann voiced an acerbic ‘Ladies Who Lunch’, ‘Company’s sarcastic take on New York’s, middle class, mid-life crisis, unsatisfying social life. She also gave us a delicious ‘The Boy From’, from ‘The Mad Show’ (music Mary Rodgers). I also loved her portrayal of Marie in her touching, reflective ballad to her son towards the end of the musical Sunday in the Park with George.
There were some wonderful excerpts from ‘A Little Night Music’ and Yarrow’s ‘Later’ was revelatory, at least to me exploring the young character’s exasperation and irritation at being tolerated rather than listened to. Little Night Music’s first act closer ‘A Weekend in the Country’, written for multiple character interpolations was well arranged for our cast of three, servicing all the vocal lines.
Parker’s charming links and empathetic accompaniment on the keys, Yarrow’s powerful and sweet baritone, Pitt-Pulford’s versatile musicality and Dann’s always accomplished performance, presented a show which was luminous, sometimes intense, but always tinged with untouched beauty. An unsurpassed treat for Sondheim fans and anyone who cares a jot about musical theatre. Brilliant!
PROGRAMME
ACT ONE
1. SIDE BY SIDE Opening (All 3)
2. SHINE (LPP)
3. TALENT (JAC)
4. DON’T LOOK AT ME (SLD)
5. EVERYBODY SAYS DON’T (JAC)
6. ANYONE CAN WHISTLE (LPP)
7. THE BOY FROM (SLD)
8. ANY MOMENT (JAC)
9. MOMENTS IN THE WOODS (LPP)
10. STAY WITH ME (SLD)
11. LATER (JAC)
12. EVERYDAY A LITTLE DEATH (SLD & LPP)
13. A WEEKEND IN THE COUNTRY (All 3)
ACT TWO
1. COMPANY OPENING
2. BARCELONA (LPP & JAC)
3. THE LADIES WHO LUNCH (SLD)
4. EVERYBODY LOVES LOUIS (LPP)
5. CHILDREN & ART (SLD)
6. FINISHING THE HAT (JAC)
7. LOVING YOU (LPP)
8. NOT WHILE I’M AROUND (JAC)
9. SEND IN THE CLOWNS (SLD)
10. BEING ALIVE (All 3)
11. OLD FRIENDS (All 3)
