We have all seen the glittering praise from the press about
A Little Night Music. However, it isn't the journalists and press who make up the audiences each night. Obviously as we know, Saturday night saw the final curtain call for the first-rate cast of the West End's most sophisticated, intelligent and wickedly funny shows. So, I thought it might be nice to post some of the comments from the punters who were lucky enough to revel
A Little Night Music one last time. Forget the pomp, verboseness and cerebrality of the press critiques who like to talk in theatre jargon, here is what the paying public thought.
"I went for my final visit to the show last night and yet again I was blown away by how good the show was, the cast were all giving their best and the chemistry between some of the actors was brilliant. It was nice to see the theatre verging on full for once and the cast seemed to really pick up on this and if possible improve on their performances!"
"It was nice to see the show once more before it closes, it is just such as shame that it is closing already.
Afterwards I did go to stage door, not that I was imposing on the cast, but they were genuinely more than happy to chat and sign the programme. Kaisa and Kelly both stopped and chatted for about 5 minutes each and they were genuinely dissapointed that the show was closing."
"Very sorry to see this one die. It does kind of make one wonder what difference, if any, the much-vaunted (on here) tourist season does actually make to ticket sales - if a show with such a pedigree can't even draw in the passing trade."
"Well, what a final night it was! Such touching last performances - it was obviously hard for the cast to play it for their final time and say goodbye to such gorgeous music and fantastic characters. And all the way through the run it's felt like there's a real warmth between the entire cast - last night more than ever.
There was a great energy but definitely a last night feel. I think a lot of the audience had seen it before so there wasn't always the huge laughs that certain lines get when people see it the first time. Kaisa seemed to be the only person who managed to be bubbly and full of smiles to the end - but then she does have a more cheerful part than the others! Hannah seemed completely tortured to be singing Send in the Clowns for the last time, she almost had to snarl the lines towards the end. Alex was on top form as usual but I did see tears in his eyes a few times. Hannah and Alex really took their time building up to You Must Meet My Wife - that song remains my favourite bit in the show - his amazing singing and her hilarious reactions! Gabriel was very solid, like Kaisa, great performance. Every Day a Little Death was very emotional - both Jessie and Kelly shed a lot more tears than usual. The beautiful chorus were stunning as ever, I've really enjoyed them every time.
At the very end, the 2 other Frederikas (Holly was on last night) came on in costume to take a bow and the swings came on too. The whole cast looked very sad but then - a stroke of genius - people started throwing flowers on to the stage and it really lifted everyone and the cast all started picking up a few each and laughing and the audience loved it, it really brightened up a sad moment. There were a few curatin calls, more flower gathering and then Maureen said a few lines. She just explained who the 2 other girls were - she seemed to forget the swings! - and then just said it was such a shame "such an intelligent and lucid show" was closing."
"The show was brilliant as always, and I ended up sobbing like a baby. Shed a tear during Every Day A Little Death, but from Send in the Clowns onwards I was blubbing! Very sad to see it close, I've loved the show so SO much. One of the strongest casts I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing, and I wish them all the very best for the future. They are all brilliant and deserve to go on to other great things!"
(All comments from the ALNM thread on the What's On Stage forums.)
