Southwark Playhouse : 2nd February – 12th March, 2011

Joe Fredericks and Holly Reiss for MokitaGrit Productions and Danielle Tarento, in association with Southwark Playhouse.

This production played to nearly 6000 people over its 40 performances and the sell out run is now the most successful in the history of Southwark Playhouse.

A cast of seasoned West End musical theatre performers joined Rupert Young and Siobhán McCarthy in the first major revival of Stephen Sondheim’s classic on the London stage in more than 15 years. Company was directed by Joe Fredericks.

In turn hilarious and affecting, Company presents the lives of five married couples through the eyes of perpetual bachelor Bobby. Experiencing the many ups and downs of relationships vicariously through his friends, he explores the social ideals of love, marriage and partnership – but will he ever discover what he needs to find happiness?

Company features well-loved musical numbers ‘Ladies who Lunch’ and the life-affirming ‘Being Alive’. The original Broadway production in 1970 won seven Tony Awards® including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Lyrics.

The first musical to be performed at Southwark Playhouse since it was founded in 1993, Company embraces the aesthetic and ambience of the venue’s location in the vaults beneath London Bridge Station to create an intimate production with a New York warehouse feel. With previous Artistic Directors including Mehmet Ergen and Thea Sharrock, Southwark Playhouse has quickly become synonymous with exciting developing companies and provides an ideal Off-West End home for the musical which secured Sondheim’s emergence as a major player on Broadway.

Press

The Times Critics Choice Libby Purves

****(Four Stars) Whatsonstage

‘Strong and punchy…some wonderful performances’ The Telegraph

”Sondheim has given us the perfect New York musical to which Fredericks has responded with beguiling zest. Utterly Fab’ Reviewsgate

**** (Four Stars) ‘Even if you did see sixty-five Sondheim shows last year then make this one number sixty-six’ Attitude

‘An excellent production, held together by an impeccable performance by Rupert Young” Theatre Fix

**** (Four Stars) ‘This is a joyous production of a show that simply doesn’t date: for its inaugural musical, the Southwark Playhouse could not have done better’ Exeunt

‘MokitaGrit’s production negotiates a steady route through the narrative, providing a few contemporary twists along with some snappy choreography and a few near-perfect performances……Katie Brayben’s simply hilarious turn as April. Brayben’s scene in the bar with Young is pure comedy magic’ The Stage

‘The show is great, the director’s vision is valid and intriguing, and the most important moments all score with full power. One would be a churl to ask for more’ Theatre Guide London

‘This is a really brilliant production…..an ideal opportunity to see top quality actors delivering a fantastic score in an exciting theatre for a very reasonable price, I urge you not to miss out’ The Good Review