A Short Review In The Metro

The Metro is a free newspaper provided on public transport primarily in London and thus has a wide readership. We even get them on the University buses in Nottingham! Therefore, this review will alert many people who would not read the newspapers for reviews or have heard about the show which is undeniably a good thing for all!

"Friday December 5 2008. METROLIFE.

London Lowdown.

4 stars.

After the disaster-and folly-of Gone With The Wind,Trevor Nunn delivers a triumph with this intimate production of Sondheim's bittersweet musical about foolishness of youth and love.The glinting,opaque mirrors of David Farley's Swedish country house set reflect a belle epoque twilight in which Sondheim's contrary lovers dream,bicker,break apart and finally end up with the right partner.

Sondheim's incandescent score is punctured by deliciously cynical lyrics and Nunn's production delights in the ironic collision between the emotional formality of 20th-century Sweden and the character candidly sexual identity.Most of the joy-and pain-comes from smashing illusions.

Hannah Waddingham's Desiree sings You Must Meet My Wife with one eyebrow wryly raised after her old flame Fredrik comes seeking sexual solace.Later she delivers a broken Send In The Clowns in which this exquisitely bitter song seems to almost collapse around her.This production has rhythms of dance-fitting for a score that relies on the tempo of a waltz.

By Claire Allfree"


Thanks to Jackie for typing this up, as it hasn't appeared on the internet.