Last call for NYMT's Merrily We Roll Along

Don't miss the chance to see the National Youth Music Theatre's wonderful production of Merrily We Roll Along at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant, which finishes on Saturday 26 August.

If you were at the Stephen Sondheim Society's Art of Making Art event at the V&A Museum earlier this year, or indeed our annual SSSSPOTY competition in June, then you will have heard some highlights from this amazing NYMT cast. If you didn't get the chance to hear then, then head to the Southwark Playhouse's Elephant venue to see the full show.

"It's a really beautiful production," says Sondheim Society Chair Craig Glenday, "with the passionate, energetic cast delivering West-End-ready performances and giving the show an intensely emotional punch, thanks to their youthful enthusiasm.

"This troubled show - though why did audiences ever doubt its brilliance?! - arguably works best when a younger cast plays old, because the payoff at the end, when the young Frank, Charley and Mary are on the rooftop of their apartment building, is all the more poignant and heartbreaking. This is not to take anything away from the brilliance of Maria Friedman's five-star production at the Menier Chocolate Factory (and beyond) with its older cast playing young, but you've just seen this trio's disastrous foray into old age, and witnessed how fame and fortune has ruined their friendship, so watching them as actual youngsters, full of optimism and energy, is truly affecting. Don't miss it!"

From our friends at NYMT:

Stephen Sondheim’s semi-autobiographical musical turns back the clock on friendship and the high price of success. Based on the 1934 play of the same name by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, the authors of the landmark Company reunited to turn the traditional showbiz musical on its head in this thrilling and compelling Broadway fable about friendship, compromise and the high price of success.

Sondheim and George Furth expertly blend the excitement and energy of a backstage musical with a poignant and emotional contemporary story about the importance of staying true to one’s ideals. Merrily We Roll Along begins in the present and moves backwards, tracing the lives of wealthy, jaded composer, Franklin Shepard, and his two estranged friends through each milestone of their personal and professional lives (good and bad). The show ends with a touch of rueful irony, as the three best friends at the start of their careers face a bright future: young, talented and enthusiastic about the worlds waiting to be conquered. Merrily We Roll Along is a show that crackles with the wit, humour and intensity that embody the spirit of New York City. With a brilliant “Broadway-style” score and that deep insight one expects from any Sondheim endeavour, Merrily We Roll Along is a spirited and moving cautionary tale for anyone who has ever pursued a dream. The production is supported by The Stephen Sondheim Society.

Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 August

Director: Katherine Hare Musical Director: Leigh Thompson Choreographer: Julia Cave Set & Costume Designer: Libby Todd Lighting Designer: Aaron Dootson Sound Designer: Tom Marshall

Franklin Shepard: Toby Owers (19)

Charley Kringas: Thomas Oxley (21)

Mary Flynn: Madeleine Morgan (21)

Tyler: Rafe Commissaris (16)

Terry: Teni Taiwo (16)

Scotty: Lucy Breese (20)

Dory: Grace Heather (19)

Ru: Lara Dailey (20)

Jerome: Benjamin Young (18)

K.T.: Carmen Farrell (20)

Meg Kincaid: Marnie Maw (17)

Bunker: Corbin Abbasi (19)

Gussie Carnegie: Sophie Lagden (21)

TV Newsman: Luc de Freitas (20)

TV Newswoman: Hattie Candler (17)

Make-up Artist: Imogen Grover (21)

Stage Manager: Sydney Craddock (17)

Joe Josephson: Sam Sayan (21)

Frankie Jr: Matilda Penna (12)

Judge: Peter Unsworth (19)

Photographer: John Richmond (17)

Beth: Matilda Shapland (18)

Evelyn: Eva Pomery (20)

Mr Spencer: Jack Ethridge (23)

Pianist: Dan Bryant (18)

Mrs Spencer: Zara Lake (23)

Auditioning Girl: Yasmina Barraoui (21)

Minister: Sean Kwok (21)

Reed 1 (piccolo. flute, clarinet, alto sax): Sophie Williams (23)

Reed 2 (flute, clarinets, soprano sax, tenor sax): Magdalene Joyce (23)

Reed 3 (clarinet, alto sax): Lucy Irving (21)

Reed 4 (clarinet, bass clarinet, bariton sax): Sarah Richardson (21)

Trumpet 1: Reuben Anelay (20)

Trumpet 2: Ivo Winkley (17)

Trumpet 3: Emerson Hampshire (18)

Trombone: Robbie Palmer (22)

Keyboard: Felix Barry-Cassademunt (16)

Percussion: Rui De Sousa Stayton (20)

Bass Guitar: Ashton Goulden (16)

Thu-Sat eves at 7.45pm Fri & Sat mats at 2.30pm

£35 – £28

LOCATION

Southwark Playhouse (Elephant) Dante Place 80 Newington Butts London SE11 4FL

CREDITS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Originally Directed on Broadway by Harold Prince Originally produced on Broadway by Lord Grade, Martin Starger, Robert Fryer and Harold Prince in association with Ruth Mitchell and Howard Haines