Company is one of Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpieces, and the one which first introduced me to his work when I saw a 1990 production in Oldham.
So this Sedos production, forming part of a typically ambitious season at the Bridewell Theatre, promised to be a treat.
Director Emily Phillips and set designer Andrew Laidlaw have developed the idea of us, as the audience, being invited to Bobby’s apartment for his birthday party.
We are funnelled out of the building and into a different entrance of corridors and neighbouring apartments until we reach the door. The seating is set on either side, plus a few sofas dotted here and there.
I expected a bit of a pre-show mingle after hearing about the opening night, but that didn’t happen at our performance, possibly because it was already running late when the doors opened.
On our seats, each of us received a letter addressed to Bobby, handwritten by one of his friends, and not all identical. A nice touch that got us into the mood.
Bobby (the marvellous Will Garrood) is 35. His friends are arranging a ‘surprise’ party as they have obviously done for years. All the cast members are on stage throughout, blending into the shadows when required, or enthusiastically getting involved in Lauren Williams’s sparkling choreography.
Company boasts a beautiful score, with a book by George Furth. The show is now 56 years old, and although the recent West End production made Bobby a woman and Amy into Jamie, Sedos have opted for the original.
Five married couples form Bobby’s core friend base, plus three casual girlfriends. After the party, each couple are placed in the spotlight as they interact with each other, and with Bobby.
Is this what marriage is like? Is this what “Being Alive” looks like, to quote the closing song? Can Bobby break out of his rut and the shadow of the friends who know what’s best for him?
It’s hard to pinpoint one or two particular performances from a brilliant cast. I didn’t spot one weak link – even Charlotte Field’s ditzy April has developed some steel.
The songs include “Sorry-Grateful” (led by Ashton Charge’s Harry), “Not Getting Married Today” (Anna Toogood’s desperate Amy grappling with the fast pace of the lyrics), Bobby’s “Marry Me A Little” and “The Ladies Who Lunch”, delivered by Natalie Emden with a mix of cynicism and devastation.
The ensemble pieces are fun and effective (“What Would We Do Without You”, “You Could Drive A Person Crazy” (the three girlfriends), “Poor Baby” (the wives)). Utilising the Bridewell’s vast stage well, this Company travels to different places by emphasising Bobby’s fear of the unknown.
Interestingly, Susan and Peter (who flirt with divorce) are played by a real-life couple, Amy and Jacob Foden-Lloyd – that’s commitment for you!
I enjoyed this production. Clever choices, high energy, beautiful arrangements. Seeing it in middle age is a rather different experience than it was the first time around as a teenager. It’s a remarkable show, sharp, chaotic, funny – and very real.
I’m giving this four stars: well done again, Sedos. If you are after timings, act 1 is 80 min, act 2 55 min plus 20 min interval.
Company is an amateur production by Sedos at the Bridewell Theatre until 16 May. Details here.
Photo credit: Emma Miller and Adrian Hau