Hmmm, to see or not to see this production if you’re married? I think that you will cringe pretty much throughout the show, recognising just how true to life elements of these characters are. But, you will also know just how true the ending is and how being with your husband/wife/partner completes you and makes you feel alive.
The next question: to see or not to see if you’re engaged? This show could put you completely off the idea of marriage and make you call off your wedding! But, if the ending resonates with you and you only feel alive when you are with your fiancé/fiancée, then I think that you can handle it and will still be walking down the aisle. Any doubts, however, and I think you’ll be put off marriage for life!
This show has been revolutionised by changing the lead character from male to female. Some people will criticise this as being ‘new’ or ‘experimental’ theatre, or being ‘politically correct’ and ‘feminist’. However, having seen this production, I simply cannot imagine Bobbi being a man! The story would seem absurd to a modern day audience. So, to anyone who would criticise this casting decision, go and see this production before you form any opinions.
Now, I’m no Sondheim expert, but I got the feeling that this wasn’t quite your usual Sondheim as it didn’t feel nearly as discordant or difficult to sing as most of his shows do! It did, however, feel quite long. Not that I would want anything in particular cut, except maybe the first number at the beginning of the second act which felt like it went on for an eternity, but I did wonder when the interval was coming.
That said, the cast of this show are simply amazing. There are so many talented people on the stage that you can’t quite believe that they are all in one place! Rosalie Craig is simply brilliant as Bobbie. I mean, I loved her before this show, so I’m biased, but everything about her, and everything that she does, is amazing. She makes singing seem so effortless and as a natural as breathing, and her voice is amazing. She seems to put her heart and soul into roles, forever stamping her mark on them and making them her own; once you see her in a role you can’t imagine anyone else ever playing it.
Mel Giedroyc is outstanding as Sarah. I’ve seen her in a pantomime and obviously Bake Off, but in those she was herself; here she was completely immersed in a role, so much so that I almost didn’t recognise her, and absolutely sensational (even if her character is a little annoying!). Patti LuPone is absolutely cutting as Joanne, and I think that everyone secretly wishes that they could be her. Jonathan Bailey is fantastic as Jamie, his diction being some of the best that I have seen/heard for a long time, which it needs to be for his number! Whilst everyone else was brilliant, they definitely do not get enough ‘air time’ to show just how brilliant they are.
Would I see this show again? Possibly not for the subject and musical numbers, but definitely for the cast; so go and see it because the cast are the stars here, and deservedly so.
2019: