Stephen Sondheim Old Friends - Sondheim / TV / Gielgud

Great that many of the board members going to the show are happy about Bernadette turn but it seem a bit odd to have the Broadway star name in the show doing a group number and a joke one at that.
Was certainly expecting her to have a solo spot especially as it's rare for UK audiences to see her so it would have made it even more special in the show.

I wonder if we will get a setlist in the programme or how the concert will be put together...will shows be put together ie if more than one song from a show will it follow on?

Is rather they didn’t put the set list in the programme- how nice for it all to be a surprise

Indeed. And the WOS article has 2 lists one saying "set to lead the concert" and the other saying "set to come star". Mind you the co star list is pretty damm impressive as well.

Worth noting that several of the performers on Tuesday -- Julian Ovenden, Janie Dee and Rosalie Craig -- will be appearing at the V&A this afternoon as part of a mini-immersion in Sondheim hosted by the Museum. It starts at 2pm.

Report back later please as interested in what went on! Going to the concert on Tuesday.

I tried to get a ticket when they first went on sale and failed. I have been periodically checking the website for tickets. About 2 hours ago I managed to get a single ticket in the dress circle row F for £250. Way more than I wanted to spend, but excited I am going to be there after all!

It was a fun, if unusual afternoon.

Interview with Janie Dee, Rosalie Craig and Julian Ovenden, talking about their relationships with Sondheims work and him personally. Specifically focused on Follies, Company and Merrily We Roll Along. Learnt some stuff I didn't know which was nice.

Janie Dee then led a sort of masterclass with three students from NYMT, who did Marry Me A Little, Not While I'm Around, and Everybody Loves Louis (the girl who did Everybody Loves Louis - who's name I forget - was sensational and is going to be a star.) Few tips and a little bit of working on the song (5-10 mins each).

Finished with a (very under rehearsed) cabaret in which Janie did Send In The Clowns, Loving You, Ladies Who Lunch, a medley of Another Hundred People/Move On, Anyone Can Whistle and another I didn't know. The students from the masterclass all sang their songs again (all better than the first time)

A nice (free!) few hours - I wouldn't have been doing anything else, but I didn't leave having learnt a huge lot. The discussion was lovely though, and we got a few bits of info of what to expect on Tuesday...Janie thinks it's going to run about 3 and a half hours and I don't think she was kidding!

If it’s going to be so long an 8PM start is crazy! It’s a school night!

Would I be right in thinking that the general dress code for this is likely to be a tad more formal? I know there's not a dress code as such, just don't want to turn up in jeans and find most of the audience looking fancy.

I don't think it will be too formal (well I hope not).
Don't think there will be many celebrities on freebies as I would think the charity would want to sell all of the tickets so I think it will be mostly avid theatre lovers and Sondheim fans.
I'm doing what I think is called "smart casual".

Although I live in London I was also thinking about staying in a hotel to make the night special and not having to rush and get the last train but the hotel prices are just ridiculous. More than the ticket price so have decided against it.