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.

Our Review:

23 April 2007

The opening scene could be Singin’ in the Rain transposed to the 1970s: a party celebrating a new movie, shining with false bonhomie and the sour smell of success, complete with vitriolic passed-over leading lady determined to humiliate her successor.

Merrily We Roll Along is full of tantalising echoes of the great Gene Kelly film, but Stephen Sondheim (with George Furth’s book) adopts the radical strategy of telling the story backwards, from 1976 back to 1957. While working within the Broadway/Hollywood tradition, he is thus able to subvert its clichés and to bring into sharp focus the poignancy of lost ideals, broken friendships and faded loyalties.

The basic story-line is familiar, except that happy endings don’t intrude. Writer Charley Kringas and composer Frank Shepard collaborate on original off-centre revues, encouraged by (briefly best-selling) author Mary Flynn, all three devoted friends from their early 20s, with Mary’s love f...

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Latest User Review

rds - 18 May 2007:

I love this show. It was my first serious introduction to Mr Sondheim, perhaps that's why I love it so - or perhaps becaues it's such a great score! And so Consequently I was very dissappointed the Playhouse didn't quite pull it off this time. The best I could say was, it was OK and that's about it. Last year I saw SEDOS (the London Stock Exchange players) do this show at The Bridewell theatre in the City, and it was much better. When it's done well this show should leave you with goose bumps and more than a tear in the eye. This production only left me with a numb bum. There's always a next time though so......maybe next year! ...

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