The latest production to come from Heywood Amateur Operatic Society is a revue musical from the pen of Stephen Sondheim and is currently being performed in Rochdale's cosy Curtain Theatre.
Conceived with Julia McKenzie, this was originally intended as a theatrical song cycle, in order to try appease both backers and public alike that he needed to come up with a "sequel" to 'Sunday In The Park With George', which he was most reluctant to do. This song cycle then, took the form of a series of Sondheim songs from already published works, and was first performed in Oxford in 1992. Songs and format changed for the Broadway production a few years' later, and a thread of a storyline was added making it the revue musical it is today. We find ourselves at a posh black tie soiree, hosted by an older couple, somewhat jaded with their relationship, and in need of diversions (cue several Sondheim classics...!), whilst a younger,more naive couple with the rest of their lives ahead of them make life even more unbearable for the first couple. The revue is "narrated" by a third man, a more caustic presence, perhaps a conscience, who interacts vagariously with both couples. This evening the society also added a female chorus of three to fill out certain scenes and songs. As you can probably imagine - if you are a Sondheimophile that is - this casting makes it perfect for an array of emotional rollercoaster songs about love and relationships which once the surface has been scratched away, are never quite what they first appear... his speciality!
The show starts with our 'narrator' with a witty opening speech (the only spoken words in the revue), which leads us into the opening song from 'The Frogs' telling us, the audience, how we should behave. The band are on stage at the rear seated behind a large illuminated PARTY sign, and we are whisked away into this world of wealth and completely screwed-up people!
If I were able to be subjective and give personal opinion, then there would be a couple of things this evening that I would change, however that is not my role here and when, on a purely objective level, I can simply not find any fault with this production from start to finish, it has to garner the full five stars (if we as a site gave stars that is!).
This was a consummate, slick, polished, nuanced, and highly professional production from start to finish. In fact, if one were not to know that these were members of an amateur society, you would not be in the wrong for rating them higher than similar shows I have seen recently given by those who are being paid to do it for a living.
There was focus, energy, chemistry, and above all, dynamicism in this evening's production, with all five principals delivering outstanding acting and vocal performances. (my personal favourite being 'Leave You').
When the sound, lighting, music, costumes, etc are all fitting and working well, and with a cast this strong and talented, you should not really need a review, the show should sell itself.... and this is (and I very rarely, if ever, write this) a must-see show!
Full credit to the performers Nick Angus (narrator and also director), younger couple Sam Reid and Sophie Lord, and the older party hosts, Jon Crebbin and Sarah Thewlis, whose interpretations of some of Sondheim's more difficult writing was second to none.
I feel sure that you all will have made the heavenly Stephen Sondheim very proud.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 27.6.23
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