I've always enjoyed the premise (nothing gets me like an interesting structure/narrative) and Sondheim's score of Company. This production is so special, iconic even as it captivates the mood of the nation at this moment in history. Many of us are yearning for more settled times what with Brexit, Trump, House Prices, the NHS in trouble our lives are seemingly on a knife edge - yet once an aspect of life becomes settled it puts us on a knife edge.
Company opens at the surprise 35th birthday party of our Central character Bobbie. Throughout the show Bobbie is trying to reconcile why she wants to get married, if she wants to get married and how that would look for her; by examining the relationship of her close coupled friends.
Originally the character Bobbie, was Bobby (Robert). In this 2018/2019 gender switched production the above takes on a new poignance particularly for the female audience, and the non straight cis male audience for that matter. There are enough stories about the straight white male at this point in time. The fact Bobbie is female amplifies the societal pressure around being 35 and single. Her friends feeling equals levels of concern and jealousy of Bobbie's relationship status. The overall context is what takes this production of Company to a new level.
Other aspects of this production are female-led Marianne Elliot renowned theater director previously has directed Angels in America, War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime perhaps her most notable productions. This is still not the norm for productions which is frustrating! From reading about her the process with actors is collaborative, the product of this giving the actors real ownership over the role. In the rehearsal process actors played scenes in their own accent with their own names, to help them get close to the character. Which I thought was so ingenious. Elliot had been looking to direct Company, but it wasn't until she formed her production company Elliot and Harper productions, looking for good parts for women, when it was suggested turning Bobby into Bobbie. As I have said this is what has turned Company into something else.
Sometimes when you're watching a production if you find your eyes wandering around the set, instead of looking at the action on stage - you've got a problem. The set in Company doesn't necessarily place the show in a particular era or place. The set is almost like a tetris game or a puzzle, and Bobbie is working out how it all makes sense and goes together. The different sections, to me represent the compartments of thoughts, or how Bobbie compartmentalises different aspects of her life. Whilst also being different peoples apartments/homes, a subway train and a club. Which creates the feeling of a busy bustling metropolitan city. It works so ingeniously on so many different levels.
I don't want to single out any particular cast member, not even you Patti Lu Pone, which goes to show what an ensemble piece Company is, though centring around Bobbie. The harmonies, as expected with any Sondheim, production are tight, not only because Sondheim is partial to those close notes, but this cast does really become one on multilayered notes. The movement sections are equally as insync and detailed. Movement pieces that come to mind are Another Hundred People and Side by Side.
I do have a few highlights of this show, You Could Drive A Person Crazy, the barber shop take on the song is as close to a theatre orgasm I am going to get. The second is the outstanding performances to all those involved in Getting Married Today. Just pure genius. Finally Being Alive, such a huge sing and the perfect round up of the show.
Company is a production is challenging as an audience member in terms of structure, and that it makes you look so closely at your own life. It is also incredibly funny, there are moments where you will want to be extremely unBritish and stand a woop mid-production. I've seen many many productions, and I doubt that this one will move from the forefront of my mind. It's one of those musicals where you think you know it, but you can see it again and again, listen to again and again; each time will you find new quirks and little snippets. That's the sign of a job well done.
Finally you can listen to the cast recording on Spotify here
