Merrily We Roll Along

Synopsis

In 1981 the musical was savaged by the Broadway critics but is slowly being reclaimed as a classic. Based on Kaufman and Hart's 1934 play, it tells of a composer's descent from decent and virtuous youth to wayward and greedy middle-age.

This revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical marks the directorial debut by triple Olivier award-winning actress Maria Friedman. The production's cast includes Damian Humbley (The Last Five Years, Little Shop of Horrors), Jenna Russell (Guys and Dolls, Sunday In The Park With George), Mark Umbers (Sweet Charity, My Fair Lady), Josefina Gabrielle (Sweet Charity, Hello Dolly), Clare Foster (Finding Neverland, Crazy For You), Glyn Kerslake (Miss Saigon, The Phantom Of The Opera) and Zizi Strallen (Rock Of Ages, Dirty Dancing).

The cast is completed by Matthew Barrow, Martin Callaghan, Amanda Minihan, Amy Ellen Richardson and Robbie Scotcher.

Buy tickets now to see this revival of Merrily We Roll Along.

Our Review:

Michael Coveney - 29 November 2012

This is a lovely directing debut by Maria Friedman, a full-value, beautifully cast, moving and assured production of Stephen Sondheim's and George Furth's poignant 1981 musical (based on a 1934 play by George S Kaufman and Moss Hart) about friendship, collaboration and trading your idealism for the easy material life.

And like Harold Pinter's Betrayal (1978), the story is told backwards, so that we start at the end and finish at the beginning, when three new friends - composer Frank Shepherd and writers Charley Kringas and Mary Flynn - scan the night sky as Sputnik revolves in 1957 and the world changes for "Our Time."

The original Hal Prince production ditched the changing period costumes in...

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Latest User Review

Stevie - 21 February 2013:

Perhaps I’m the problem and the great Sondheim is not for me; will try a few more yet. This reverse chronological story about friends, and that’s about it, is excellently presented and performed by an in-crowd of note. A few unknowns and wider casting might have added spark to yet another weak book that’s media-about-media. Audiences’ insatiable appetite for incestual entertainment is once again satisfied and proves you can con’ most of the people most of the time. A sell out show that’s a long way from its early Broadway (1981) failings but I’ll wager a transfer up West won’t hack it. I paid so I stayed, but a close call on something I’ve never done, walk out.....

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