Review: Company, Gielgud Theatre, London, 4 October 2018 Trouper Rating: *****
Could a night out get any camper than going to a theatre named after Sir John Gielgud in London’s West End to see Patti Lupone singing Stephen Sondheim? Hard to imagine, and what a treat this is.
With the composer’s permission, producer Marianne Elliott has gender swapped the main character. So Bobby becomes Bobbi, but the character is still a thirty something singleton with lots of married / hooked up friends. These chums don’t always sing the praises of being part of a couple but yet Bobbi (a confident Rosalie Craig) still feels under pressure to get married, especially on the occasion of her 35th Birthday when her collection of friends come round to celebrate. But it’s after the party that we find out more about them and their realities.
Beyond the messaging, what this theatrical delight comes down to are the performances, the songs and the stage design. In reverse order, the complex set decoration is bright, punchy, intricate and enticing. The songs contain many Broadway classics covering the emotional range from fear to cynicism. “(Not) Getting Married” as performed by fearful fiancé Jonathan Bailey is a wondrous combination of unbelievably quick singing and stage-frolics which had the audience in hysterics – worth the price of the ticket for this alone. “Ladies Who Lunch”, a phrase now in general parlance, is performed with sneary cynicism by Queen Patti of Broadway. If anything, the finale of “Being Alive” is a little flat coming as it does after all that sensuous bombardment to have Bobbi singing on her own on a bare stage.
But that’s Sondheim for you. Not quite doing the expected finale of a rousing Rogers and Hammerstein chorus in time for the curtains to swish. While that might not be to everyone’s taste, it makes for a glorious night out at the theatre and it’s the only time the Trouper can remember not just wanting to go and see a performance at the theatre all over again but setting about planning to ensure it happens.
Photo courtesy: Etro 053
