Photo Credit: Mike Kwasniak
One of the many things I love about the Gallery Players is that they are never afraid to tackle challenging work. I also love how much they love Sondheim and ‘ A Little Night Music’ is one of his most challenging musicals.
Set in Sweden, usually at the turn of the last century, in this production it’s 1937 and the costumes and style reflect this perfectly. The directorial team of Helen Clarke, Lesley Burrows and Gary Avis have created a concept that is both stylish and ethereal.
Photo Credit: Mike Kwasniak
The whole production is beautiful, with some exquisite dresses and dapper suits. The set is draped with wonderful white gauze that swings and sways to provide floating walls and then can be swept away to reveal the full stage. In the second act, when we are at ‘ A Weekend in the Country’ the set becomes a garden with nooks and crannies for lovers to meet and conduct their trysts and affairs.
Photo Credit: Mike Kwasniak
Sondheim’s music is complex and his lyrics witty, which means his musicals should be performed with a lightness of touch and strong vocals, and this is certainly the case with this cast. As much as I adore musical theatre I have no musical prowess myself, but my musically gifted husband assured me that there were several top Cs being hit to perfection. No mean feat! It was also gratifying to hear live musicians accompany the show and not backing tracks, and that certainly adds to the live musical theatre experience.
Photo Credit: Mike Kwasniak
The whole cast are amazing and should all be proud of their performances, but I want to give special mention to the following:
Tim Holder plays the suave and sophisticated lawyer Fredrik Egerman, hiding his sexual frustration with his shy, virginal bride, Anne Egerman, played with an appropriately childlike zeal by Riley Britchfield.
Photo Credit: Mike Kwasniak
Helen Wheatley as the ‘one and only Desiree Armfeldt is cool and worldly in contrast to Anne, and gets to sing the shows most famous number, Send in the Clowns, with aching beauty.
Finally Evie Snow is fabulously cutting as Countess Charlotte-Magnus. Wronged by her foolish and vain husband, excellently played by Ryan Cope, she conveys genuine pain at his infidelity in private, in direct contrast to her witty barbs and devil may care attitude in company.
Photo Credit: Mike Kwasniak
This is a show about love, sex, regret, youth and ageing and the difficulties of marriage. All human life and love is here in Sondheim’s beautiful words and music and its a triumph of a production.
A Little Night Music plays at the Gallery Studio until Saturday 30th May – check the website for tickets or returns as many performances are already sold out.
SUFFOLK THEATRE 