Stephen Sondheim Old Friends - Sondheim / TV / Gielgud

Bradley Jaden dressed as a wolf wasn't something I knew I needed until now 🥵

Just out having sat front row centre. The stage has been raised about eight inches for no obvious reason. It was above my eye height so I couldn't see feet without stretching up significantly. (I'm 5'8".)

But to be so close to such stunning talent was absolutely worth it. I don't think anyone there will be disappointed.

Mods, could you add a poll for this as well?

Well this was a lovely evening.

The orchestra sounds wonderful- and the staging is classy and slick.

Bernadette was… fine.
She’s a Broadway legend of course.. but I felt like she was upstaged by Lea at every turn. I can see the wheels turning with every choice she makes. Her numbers were Soooo slowwwww.

Judi Dench has ruined Send in the Clowns for everyone forever. Bernadettes just had none of the pathos or heartbreak of Judi’s. Fine, but unmemorable.

The absolute star of the show is Lea Salonga. Her voice is just incredible and there is nothing she cannot sing. Her Everything’s Coming up Roses was spine tingling. I would book again just to watch her.

Janie Dee.. The Boy From… just gorgeous. I wish her voice was stronger/better- but she’s such a class act and she was glorious in this number. One of my favourites of the night.

Clare Burt- fabulous. Ladies who Lunch an absolute showstopper. Extraordinary.

Bonnie- terrible mugging throughout- desperately trying to pull focus.
I’m Still Here was good but in such esteemed company, she just comes across as a bit… naff.

Joanna Riding- sensational as always. God this woman is brilliant. She can do it all.

Bradley Jaden. Gorgeous. And talented. And shirtless. Consider me obsessed.

Jac Yarrow- never seen him on stage before but wow- fabulous voice. Very impressed indeed and will definitely go and see him in whatever he does next.

Beatrice Penny-Touré - beautiful voice.. someone to watch.

Richard Dempsey - given NOTHING to do!!! What?!! Why is he in it? What an absolute waste of his talents.

The only number that I didn’t enjoy was Jason Pennycookes Buddies Blues. Not sure why.. maybe it all felt too forced?
Not a Day Goes by- accompanied by photos of Sondheim was incredibly moving. A few sniffles around us at that point.

How wonderful to be able to revel in the genius of Mr Sondheim. What i’d love is for this show to be a big hit so they have to recast it and have another set of amazing performers have a go at these songs.

Bernadette's vocals absolutely aren't what they used to be. There are many people who refuse to hear and acknowledge that but it's the truth. But it doesn't take away from how thrilling it is to see her onstage, especially in a show like this where we see what she does best. I'll agree that Salonga upstages her vocally and even performance wise in this show because she's given some truly great material to work with. Her "Everything's Coming Up Roses" was maybe THE highlight of the evening for me and her "Worst Pies in London" was everything I hoped it would be. I've been sad for years I didn't get to see her Mrs. Lovett and now I'm even sadder because I can only imagine how brilliant she was in the rest of the show.

I thought the material they chose for Bernadette highlighted her strengths and was vocally appropriate, with only ‘I know things now’ feeling a little odd for her range. Send in the clowns was perfectly vulnerable, on pitch and just beautiful. Lea shines because of the incredible songs and her insane vocals - and does take the limelight away from Bernadette a little. But I still think Bernadette is holding her own and provides the most joyful (eg Broadway Baby, gimmick) and heartbreaking (Send in the Clowns, Losing My Mind) moments of the evening.

Mr Barnaby nails this.

Lea is, by a mile, the star. But there is so much in this to enjoy, especially in Janie Dee and Clare Burt - what talent, what turns.

Bernadette isn't what she once was but, hey, many of the greats aren't but that doesn't mean they can no longer be savoured and admired, limitations and all.

Does this miss a male "lead"? 'Could I Leave You' doesn't work given to a man - reassign it to Janie or Clare (although she's had enough to learn).

Sorry, Bonnie's face-pulling really irritated. And her 'I'm Still Here' - sung fine but did nowt for me. You need to look at the Elaines (and one or two others) to see how that song should be done - it needs determination, anger and a go f*** the lot of you!

Oh, I disagree about “Could I Leave You”! That was absolutely one of my favorite parts of the show. With a show like this, it’s nice AND FUN to switch some stuff up and put a new twist on things we all all know.

But my God, Bradley as the Wolf.

I almost slipped off my seat.

Protective covers may be required to protect the velvet.

What I really want is a revival of A Little Night Music with Julia McKenzie giving us her Liasons.

Not ashamed to say I booked to see this just for Gavin Lee - he’s a personal hero of mine and I always try and go when he’s performing in the UK. Only realised later how many other (arguably more famous) performers are in this cast!
Will report back once I’ve seen the show today!