8,162 posts
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Post by alece10 on Jun 18, 2018 20:07:10 GMT
My introduction to Sondheim was Sweeney Todd at the NT, but I have probably seen more Sondheim at The Donmar than anywhere else. I remember Into The Woods very well and Sheridan Smith made a big impression even though, at the time, I had no idea who she was.
Other memorable musicals there were Assassins, Compay, Merrily, Pacific Overtures and Passion (which is my least favourite) there was a 10th Anniversary concert version of Company and Merrily at the Queens theatre with the original Donmar casts.
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Post by learfan on Jun 19, 2018 6:11:16 GMT
Another Sondheim musical with an exceptional cast that I was lucky enough to see was Company. This was at the Crucible in Sheffield in 2011 and frankly you would be unlikely to see such an amazing cast in the West End: Daniel Evans Damian Humbley Ian Gelder Samantha Spiro Francesca Annis Anna-Jane Casey Rosalie Craig. It was directed by Jonathan Munby and was one of the best ever Sondheim productions I've seen. I was amazed it didn't get a WE transfer. I second this. I travelled to Sheffield spesh to see it. Fantastic cast! Not sure why it didn't have a longer life. Given Evans'obvious love for Sondheim i have been surprised he hasn't programmed one of his at Chichester so far. |
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8,162 posts
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Post by alece10 on Jun 19, 2018 16:09:33 GMT
I was at the NT press night of Sunday, and remember the audience reaction was "we are impressed, but actually a little bored." It looked amazing, was beautifully sung and directed, but just was a little overwhelmed by the huge set and didn't have the narrative strength to justify it all. Assassins was I think the first production I saw at the Donmar. I loved it - Mr Goodman in particular. The steps business is indeed trying to re-create vaudeville and worked. My feeling again was that it was not a "finished" piece - and indeed, Sondheim did add "Something Just Broke" later on. It was stylish, though. Into The Woods at the Phoenix was the best thing I'd seen since Miz - and that was high praise back then (still is). When they dropped the dummy from the proscenium to the stage, people were panicking, it was that effective. I was right by the auditorium entrance door, and remember the ushers sneaking in to catch JM sing "The Last Midnight." I also remember the wolf on the outside of the Pheonix Theatre. |
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