Sondheim stars recall their memories of the late, great composer

There are giants in the sky. We know this for sure following the passing of the late, great Stephen Sondheim.

The legendary composer, responsible for such titles as Into the Woods, Company, Gypsy, Follies, Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeney Todd and countless others, was 91 years old when he passed.

To celebrate his legacy, we asked various company members who are bringing his work to life on stage to share their memories.

The cast of Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre

Valda Aviks, plays Grandmother/Giant, said:

“Sondheim came to see our Sweeney Todd at the Adelphi. He stayed for a drink afterwards, and was so kind. A total mensch!”

Katie Brayben, plays The Baker’s Wife, said:

“What I love about Sondheim is that he grows with you. His lyrics and melodies deepen as you know his work, and grow older with it. ‘Being Alive’ from Company, when I first heard it, gave me shivers of recognition, and now I’m a mother, the perspective flips and creates a new connection. I love that his work, perfect in each moment of a production, is also able to transcend the moment and find a place in the underscore of your own life and heart.”

Jamie Parker, plays The Baker, said:

“My favourite pieces of Sondheim have to be ‘Buddy’s Blues’ from Follies, ‘Putting it Together’ and ‘I Never Do Anything Twice.'”

Chloe Saracco, standby, said:

“One of my most cherished memories of Sondheim’s work is when I was in my first ever Sondheim musical at uni: a student production of Sweeney Todd staged in the Oberon, the American Repertory Theatre’s immersive club space in Harvard Square. It was, as you can imagine, a fiercely non-traditional interpretation. There’s nothing quite like singing the ‘Johanna Quartet’ – one of my favourite Sondheim songs – in a darkly ethereal and eerie processional, weaving across the catwalks above the dimly lit bar. I learned during this first venture into Sondheim how challenging his music can be, but also how immensely rewarding it is to unearth the profound complexity and layering of each choice he’s made musically and lyrically, all of which are deeply embedded with meaning. It seems almost full-circle to get to step into another one of his most notable works (professionally, this time!), where we are also exploring some of the darker thematic textures of his piece.”

Sweeney Todd revival creative team

Joe Murphy, artistic director at Birmingham Rep, said:

“Going back to my time at Year Out Drama Company, a memory that has always stayed with me, during a final showcase, a fellow student performed a rendition of ‘Not While I’m Around’ from Sweeney Todd and that moment, hearing Sondheim’s music performed live, imprinted itself on me. Twenty-one years later, Sondheim’s music still echoes just as vividly, and to now be getting ready to direct a new production of Sweeney Todd, that song is a dream and a career highlight.”

Elin Steele, designer, said:

“As a child, we had the original Broadway recording of Sweeney Todd on CD – I’d never seen a production, but I remember being on long car journeys and building the stage images in my head. The score’s intense melodrama, paired with the humanity at the heart of the storytelling, immediately draws you into Sondheim’s work in a unique way.”

A Little Night Music revival creative team

Selina Cartmell, artistic director and co-chief executive, Royal Exchange Theatre, said:

“Sweeney Todd was the first ever musical I directed. It changed me, and I began a life-long love affair with the complex darkness and soaring joy of Sondheim’s dazzling score and lyrics. ‘These Are My Friends’, ‘A Little Priest’ and ‘Not While I’m Around’ remain timeless love-letters to ‘outsiders’ and Sondheim creates deeply empathetic emotional landscapes and reveals how music has the power to heal and surprise.

“It feels like directing Shakespeare, fiercely challenging and utterly fulfilling. In 2026, I will set off on my next Sondheim adventure, directing his magical A Little Night Music as part of the Royal Exchange’s 50^th anniversary celebrations, the musical he describes as ‘whipped cream with knives’. Can’t wait!”