Reader Reviews
Side by Side by Sondheim (Leicester Square Theatre, Inner London)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | I really can not praise this performance enough I thought it was excellent. In the absence of Josie Walker her understudy took to the stage (Sarah J Bourne) and although she had no rehersal time she did a very good job with material that is indeed very differcult to get your tongue round. The show was narrated at the performance I saw by Angela Rippon who was excellent and very funny a great fit in between musical Numbers. Alasdair Harvey's voice was very strong full bodied and a joy to listen to , I am leaving the best til last now but I have to say Abbie Osmon was my favourite performer great singing voice and absolutely stunning I couldn't take my eyes off her for a second I have never known Sondheim to be so damn sexy. Wow you must catch this show before it ends you may kick yourself if you don't. - Michael | 30 May 07 |
| Sorry to say that I was bored silly by this show. Love Sondheim but this lacked sparkle and interest. Over choreographed to the point of ridiculousness. I like Abi Osman who shone, Alistair Harvey triumphed on a few of the numbers but looked crumpled and uncomfortable most of the time. Josie Walkers understudy was dissapointing and obviously under rehearsed. Why these particular performers where chosen baffles me, it could have been so much better. - theatrelady | 30 May 07 |
| Sadly, this production provided more entertainment after the show, as I related the goofs and gaffs to friends, than it did during. Barry Cryer, comedy genius, legend in his own lifetime, only came alive when he looked up from his book and adlibbed. Otherwise, the poor and obviously under-rehearsed man struggled to read the script, couldn't find his way offstage after his first narration, and got lost behind the set twice (for the full impact of this, you have to realise that the set consisted of semi-transparent screens - and Barry wore a white tuxedo, crowned with his own recognisable snow-white locks. Wandering around backstage during some poignant numbers, he might as well have been lit up in pink neon!) Abbi Osman, quite apart from lacking the age or maturity to sing "Losing My Mind" or "Broadway Baby" has an annoying habit of putting an audible breath in between each phrase, and her range of emotions runs from a smiley face for happy songs, and a constipated frown for sad songs (and in these complex Sondheim ballads, she often has to go from one to the other in the same number!) On the whole, the solos are more successful than the over-choreographed ensembles (where every phrase has an action - although the action for "zombie" in "You Could Drive A Person Crazy" looks more like a corpse... you get the idea.) and the two stars here are for Josie Walker and the outstanding Alasdair Harvey - I could have listened to him singing every number AND doing the narration. His passionate rendition of "Marry Me A Little" was the highlight. I can't imagine Les Dennis or Angela Rippon will add much. - Kev | 24 May 07 |
| The show is really interesting and surpriseingly great with just only three main performers. They sing almost perfectly and the performance is really outstanding. Strong recommend! - sheena | 19 May 07 |
| The show is really interesting and surpriseingly great with just only three main performers. They sing almost perfectly and the performance is really outstanding. Strong recommend! - sheena | 19 May 07 |
| Saw this show Sat Mat on the 5th. All three performers were excellent. Alasdair Harvey's rich barritone to tenor voice was a joy to hear. As for Christopher Cazenove, oh dear oh dear nuff said. Losing my Mind was the only number I could not agree with, I felt it was pushed too hard. All in all though A wonderful afternoons entertainment. Agree with comment about seating, it is rather uncomfortable. - robin | 09 May 07 |
| Saw this show the other night. Agree that the songs are the thing and they certainly stand up well.Abbi Osman was a tad young for some of the torch ballads but she did well which is more than can be said of Christopher Cazenove. He stumbled and fumbled and he was reading the script. The others deserved better. - Stuart | 08 May 07 |
| An exhiliarating revival. Although the songs are taken out of context in this revue, the performances and direction retain Sondheim's sharp humour, and in the case of SEND IN THE CLOWNS and and THE DUET FROM WEST SIDE STORY, amongst others, Sondheim's sense of drama. - Quay | 05 May 07 |
| A great evenings entertainment. Well sung by all, particularily Josie Walker, they all light up the stage. Go see for yourself! - Michael | 05 May 07 |
| Sondheim wrote both music and lyrics for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum". - Tom | 04 May 07 |
| Hugely enjoyable! Great material elegantly and simply presented and performed with genuine panache. Alasdair Harvey is excellent, gorgeous Abbie Osmon seems much better suited to this work than she did to Evita (though she's a bit young to give "Losing My Mind" full justice) while Josie Walker shines like the star she's always been (her versions of "Send In The Clowns" and "I'm Still Here" received well deserved ovations). A summer hit for The Venue! - ajh | 04 May 07 |
| 0 because this guy thinks Sondheim didn't write the lyrics to Forum. I also think I fell asleep when reading this faceless review - Reich | 03 May 07 |
