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When I first met Stephen Sondheim
I was in shock!
I had been a fan ever since I first heard his
incredible work. And here was I, face to face
with Him, on the night I’d just opened with the
American cast of Company – which was an
education in itself. I learned at first hand what it
is to work with that kind of energy – it was like
being shot out of a cannon! Such a shock that
I only vaguely remember seeing someone who
might have been Steve lurking in the wings.
But later we not only met, but worked closely
together in Side by Side by Sondheim, Into the
Woods, Sweeney Todd and co-devised and
directed Putting it Together here and in
New York.
I was thrilled to be asked to play Sally in the
original West End production of Follies. For so
many years I had been living with the recording
of the glorious Barbara Cook – and now came
the chance to sing ‘In Buddy’s Eyes’ and ‘Losing
My Mind’. Manna from heaven! But the dancing
was a challenge – Jerry Mitchell, who was
assistant choreographer on the show, is quoted
as saying that he managed to extract the
fabulous dancing with ‘a chair and a whip’ and he
was basically talking about me. I’m a terrible
dancer – and I had to do a six-minute tap routine!
Follies also saw me reunited with producer
Cameron Mackintosh, with whom I’d worked on
Side by Side by Sondheim. To say that Cameron
is hands-on is an understatement – he’s legs,
arms and heart too! He’s totally in love
with theatre.
Dolores Gray broke her ankle during the run
but, true to her theatrical guts, went on – even
taking curtain calls in a wheelchair. I began to
think she really quite enjoyed it. There are so
many enduring memories from the show. But
I particularly remember shedding tears, along
with the rest of the company, the first time we
heard that tinkling piano bursting into the full
orchestral overture. A year or two ago, Simon
Green (young Ben) organised a reunion for
the remaining cast members – a mini Follies I
suppose, but held at Joe Allen’s restaurant. It
was a magical reunion – Pearl Carr and Teddy
Johnson did a little of ‘Rain on the Roof’ and
the years rolled away as Eileen Page and
Michelle Todd reprised ‘One More Kiss’ as if
it were yesterday. More tears. I guess it’s that
sort of show.
After 45 years of knowing Steve, I feel I have an
instinct for his work. I do know that working for
him has changed my life tremendously. As a
performer, his work challenges your intelligence
as an actor, and your technique as a singer. You
can’t simply get away with a voice and a big smile
anymore. It takes you all your time to try to be
equal to what he asks of you.
I am, of course, looking forward to seeing the
National’s new production – as is everyone else
I know. I just hope I can still get a ticket! What
a cast they have assembled – it’s so exciting.
And to any actors performing Sondheim for the
first time, my advice is just to be thankful. His
work will be a joy to you and will inform
everything else in your performing life.
Follies
‘After 45 years
of knowing Steve,
I feel I have an
instinct for his work.
As a performer,
his work challenges
your intelligence as
an actor, and your
technique as a singer’
Into the Woods