Yesterday saw the official launch of Elliott & Harper Productions’ Company at Joe Allen in Covent Garden. Director Marianne Elliott, Rosalie Craig (Bobbi), Mel Giedroyc (Sarah) and Broadway legend Patti LuPone (Joanne) talked about the show with Stephen Sondheim’s official biographer David Benedict, and their respect and love for Sondheim was clear from the outset as they described how they first discovered Sondheim’s work, with Giedroyc and LuPone sharing a bonding moment as they waxed lyrical about their love for West Side Story.
(Left to right) Broadway actress Patti LuPone, with co-stars Rosalie Craig, director Marianne Elliott, and Mel Giedroyc, raise a glass to celebrate their forthcoming production of the musical comedy Company at theatre restaurant Joe Allen in London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday April 10, 2018. Performances begin at the Gielgud Theatre from September 26th. Photo credit should read: John Nguyen/PA Wire
Elliott explained that in her search for shows with older female protagonists, the re-gendering of Bobbi was something that didn’t immediately appeal to her; but after revisiting Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s musical, she realised that the relationship issues the male Bobby is dealing with in 1970 don’t apply anymore and have shifted to women in the 21st century. After watching footage of Rosalie Craig workshopping the show, and hearing that a young male camera operator’s bemused comment when told that Bobbi was originally male was “How would that work?”, Sondheim was sold on the concept.
Patti LuPone explained that the only reason that she had come out of self-imposed retirement from musicals was the chance to work with Marianne Elliott. Mel Giedroyc was on top irreverent and self-deprecating form, obviously slightly in awe of LuPone, joking that as soon as she was told that she would be eating a brownie on stage, she was in.
There was a hairy, but hysterical, moment when Ms LuPone was interrupted mid answer by a mobile phone, with Mel rushing to help the mortified owner switch it off, but LuPone took it in good grace “We’re not in a theatre!” and revealed that she thought audiences in New York were becoming more aware of their fellow theatre goers and behaving more appropriately.
Elliott shared her ideas about the changed dynamics of couples in the show, with some gender swapped, but no same-sex couples (but it’s a few months before the show opens – things could change) and stressed that Sondheim will be involved at every stage of the production.
Rosalie Craig ended the morning with a stunning rendition of Being Alive that left me, and I’m pretty sure the entire room, wishing for September to arrive so that we can see exactly what these talented women and the rest of the company have up their sleeves. Company is going to be THE show to see this Autumn.
Box Office information:
Address: Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London
Dates: 26 September – 22 December 2018
Performances: Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm
Ticket prices from £25
Gielgud Theatre Box Office – Booking 0844 482 5130 Online from www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk