It was a bit of a risk going to see this Sondheim show just three months (to the day) after the Donmar’s extraordinary concert staging and less than two years after the Union Theatre’s excellent production, but it’s a risk which paid off.
This is a fresh look at the show in a contemporary setting which works very well indeed. The life and experiences of central character, singleton Bobby, are if anything more believable today, 40 years after its first outing. His friends, five couples, are relentless in their pressure on him to settle down, though this hides their jealousy; to some extent, they are living their lives through him. Each couple has their own story which weaves in and out of Bobby’s with three very different girlfriends.
This production reveals the play inside the musical without losing the impact of the extraordinary songs. It’s edgier and sexier and really does seem like it was written yesterday. The bare staging is very much like the Union production – you don’t have to do much to conjour up a Manhattan loft apartment in a space beneath the railway arches! The band is hidden in a space behind one of three banks of seats (good to see them come out and take a well deserved bow at the end).
Yet again, the casting director (on this occasion, Menier co-founder Danielle Tarento) has done a cracking job. The couples each have real chemistry. As a chorus they dance well and sound great – the title song and Act II opener are both terrific. Michelle Bishop sang ‘Another Hundred People’ better than I’ve ever heard it before. Cassidy Janson climbed the mountain that is ‘Getting Married Today’ with a real manic intensity. Siobhan McCartney was an excellent Joanna, though I felt ‘Ladies Who Lunch’ was a little harsh, adding passion at the expense of musicality. Rupert Young has yet to fully inhabit the very challenging role of Bobby, but it was only his 5th performance.
Director Joe Fredericks and his team are to be warmly congratulated for this fresh look at a modern musical classic, taking risks which paid off and providing some definitive and thrilling moments.
Hi Gareth
Andy keeps track of your adventures on your blog and I was absolutely delighted when he said tonight ‘shall we go and see the new production of Company, Gareth recommends it?’. It’s one of my absolute favourites after playing April many moons ago. I can’t wait!
We hope you are well. Andy says he’ll let you know of his next Tooting trip as a catch up is long overdue. We’d love you to meet Grace if you are in our neck of the woods…
Fond regards
Jenny (Chatfield – who’d have thought it?)
xx
Good to hear from you! Glad someone reads my blog – well, actually 102 have read this review! Book soon as it’s a short run in a small fringe theatre with unreserved seats and i think the first 2 weeks are sold out. I do hope to come & see you and grace at some point – hopefully before she’s a stroppy teenager! Gareth X
We’re of the same mind, although you say it more nicely than I did, LOL …
http://londonist.com/2011/02/theatre-review-company-southwark-playhouse.php
I agree with a lot of what you say, but it is a bit harsh?! I tried to reflect how much i enjoyed it overall and at the same time to be supportive to (mostly) young talent. Maybe I’m a softie and will never make a critic?! Second thoughts, I can be merciless if it’s deserved (Greenland comes to mind…..)