For Stephen Sondheim fans, Putting it Together is a real treat and showcases his talents wonderfully. His music and lyrics are beautiful, funny and clever, and here is a great selection whether solos or ensembles. There is very little here that is wrong, apart from the sound at times with the orchestra sounding a little thin. What there is of the story though is lyrical and charming, and everything from visuals and lighting is kept simply, allowing the music to speak for itself.
But that doesn't mean that they are non-existent in this regard, because the lighting is very dynamic, the sets while minimal are a good setting for what the performance is about and the choreography is lively, particularly in the numbers involving Bronson Pinchot and John Barrowman. The orchestra play beautifully throughout and they do help in bringing the drama alive and maintaining it. The five performers are all on top form, and it is difficult to pick a favourite.
Carol Burnett and Bronson Pinchot were real surprises. Burnett is a great comedienne and it was clear from Annie that she was a fine singer and actress too, but the programme saw her needing to have an emotional and subtle side and it was interesting to see whether it would be as good as her comedy. And it is actually, Could I Leave You is very deeply felt and she is just as effective singing with George Hearn in Country House and Do I Hear a Waltz. But it is in the songs displaying her comic timing where she excels, Ladies Out to Lunch really bites without being overacted or resorting to histrionics and Not Getting Married Today is hilarious.
Pinchot takes on his first musical role, and this shows that he is as talented at singing as he is at comedy. He always was a talented slapstick comedian, which shows in his comic timing, and he also has a very nice agile voice and his stage presence is entertaining and graceful. Buddy's Blues is evidence of that. John Barrowman apart from occasional stiffness has the full package, a voice that is perfect for musical theatre and Sondheim(particularly in Pretty Women and Have I Got a Girl for You), an easy-going charm, charismatic acting, stylistically graceful dancing and handsome looks. Ruthie Henshall likewise, Sooner or Later sees her really connecting with the lyrics and remarkably we connect with them too because of how she delivers and sings- and like an angel- the song and she manages the difficult choreography of More with no signs of awkwardness.
Which leaves George Hearn, one of the greatest Sondheim performers(he and Bernadette Peters are personal favourites in this regard). He still sounds great for 66, with a rich, warm baritone voice that throughout the performance doesn't show signs of tiring. We don't hear him sing the role of Sweeney Todd or the song Epiphany(how that would have brought the house down), though on reflection that song may not have been fitting with the rest of the songs as great as it is. But the playful menace in Hello Little Girl and the heartfelt quality of The Road You Didn't Take really shine with Hearn, as does his first-rate musicianship, style and phrasing.
The 5-part ensemble of Being Alive was cleverly arranged and extremely moving. In conclusion, really splendid with great songs from a musical genius and perfectly pitched performances. 9/10 Bethany Cox
But that doesn't mean that they are non-existent in this regard, because the lighting is very dynamic, the sets while minimal are a good setting for what the performance is about and the choreography is lively, particularly in the numbers involving Bronson Pinchot and John Barrowman. The orchestra play beautifully throughout and they do help in bringing the drama alive and maintaining it. The five performers are all on top form, and it is difficult to pick a favourite.
Carol Burnett and Bronson Pinchot were real surprises. Burnett is a great comedienne and it was clear from Annie that she was a fine singer and actress too, but the programme saw her needing to have an emotional and subtle side and it was interesting to see whether it would be as good as her comedy. And it is actually, Could I Leave You is very deeply felt and she is just as effective singing with George Hearn in Country House and Do I Hear a Waltz. But it is in the songs displaying her comic timing where she excels, Ladies Out to Lunch really bites without being overacted or resorting to histrionics and Not Getting Married Today is hilarious.
Pinchot takes on his first musical role, and this shows that he is as talented at singing as he is at comedy. He always was a talented slapstick comedian, which shows in his comic timing, and he also has a very nice agile voice and his stage presence is entertaining and graceful. Buddy's Blues is evidence of that. John Barrowman apart from occasional stiffness has the full package, a voice that is perfect for musical theatre and Sondheim(particularly in Pretty Women and Have I Got a Girl for You), an easy-going charm, charismatic acting, stylistically graceful dancing and handsome looks. Ruthie Henshall likewise, Sooner or Later sees her really connecting with the lyrics and remarkably we connect with them too because of how she delivers and sings- and like an angel- the song and she manages the difficult choreography of More with no signs of awkwardness.
Which leaves George Hearn, one of the greatest Sondheim performers(he and Bernadette Peters are personal favourites in this regard). He still sounds great for 66, with a rich, warm baritone voice that throughout the performance doesn't show signs of tiring. We don't hear him sing the role of Sweeney Todd or the song Epiphany(how that would have brought the house down), though on reflection that song may not have been fitting with the rest of the songs as great as it is. But the playful menace in Hello Little Girl and the heartfelt quality of The Road You Didn't Take really shine with Hearn, as does his first-rate musicianship, style and phrasing.
The 5-part ensemble of Being Alive was cleverly arranged and extremely moving. In conclusion, really splendid with great songs from a musical genius and perfectly pitched performances. 9/10 Bethany Cox