London Musicals 2005-2009.pub - Over The Footlights

SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM (2 nd Revival)
London run: Upstairs at the Gatehouse, May 28 th - July 3rd
Music: Stephen Sondheim & others
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Director-Choreographer: Racky Plews
Musical Director: Chris Lambert
Cast: Nikki Gerrard, Susie Harriet, James Pearson,
Andrew MacDonald (Narrator)
Notes: This production avoided the
standard “evening-dress” concert-type
approach, and staged the numbers often in
costume, with props, and with the male
performer occasionally going into drag to
join the girls.
During the run there was a regular change
of narrators.
Original London run:
Mermaid Theatre, May 1976;
First revival: Greenwich Theatre, July 1997
2005
8
THE MUSICAL MEDIUM
London run: Landor, May 31 st – June 18 th
Music & Lyrics: Stuart Wood
Director: Robert McWhir
Musical Director: Stuart Wood
Cast: Carol Ball (Peggy Trivet),
Leo Andrew (Schubert),
Paul Spicer (George),
Colleen Daley (Despina)
Story: Frumpy piano teacher, Peggy Trivet, is also a practising medium, and is in frequent contact with dead
composers: Beethoven working on his 10 th Symphony, Wagner on a sequel to his Ring Cycle. But her main
contact is Franz Schubert, who has written another song, and would like her to release it to the world. Schubert
is also impressed by her talented piano pupil, George, and wants Peggy help George escape the clutches of his
mad Greek mother, Despina, and go off to study at the Juilliard School. (Thanks to a racing tip from Schubert’s
long-dead sister, Clara, George is able to earn the financial means to carry out his studies.)
Photo by Stagephoto
Notes: This was considered to be
a fun idea for a show, and
containing a very promising score
and lyrics. The book was in
urgent need of development, and
the whole venture was not helped
by being performed to recorded
music. However, Stuart Wood
was reckoned to be a talent worth
watching.
Leo Andrew, Carol Ball,
Paul Spicer & Colleen Daley