London theater critics have given universally positive reviews to Old Friends, the all-star memorial concert for composer Stephen Sondheim, presented at the West End’s Sondheim Theatre and simulcast on the nearby Prince Edward stage. The creative team included Maria Friedman (direction), Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear (choreography), Stephen Brooker (music supervision), Stephen Metcalfe (arrangements), George Reeve (projections), Matt Kinley (sets), Warren Letton (lights), Mick Potter (sound), and Alfonso Casado Trigo (music direction).
The concert cast included Michael Ball, Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, Petula Clark, Rosalie Craig, Janie Dee, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Maria Friedman, Haydn Gwynne, Bonnie Langford, Damian Lewis, Julia McKenzie, Julian Ovenden, Bernadette Peters, Siân Phillips, Jon Robyns, Clive Rowe, Jenna Russell, Imelda Staunton, Charlie Stemp, Gary Wilmot, and Michael D Xavier, with Shan Ako, Christine Allado, Holly-Anne Hull, Ashley Campbell, Anna-Jane Casey, Desmonda Cathabel, Josefina Gabrielle, Louis Gaunt, Amy Griffiths, Rob Houchen, Bradley Jaden, Ian McLarnon, Jeremy Secomb, Jordan Shaw and Matthew White. Below is the finale of the concert.
Guardian (Mark Lawson): This was a glorious memorial service, each of the tunes a eulogy, every eulogist either a current star (Judi Dench, Bernadette Peters, Imelda Staunton, Clive Rowe) or a likely future one. … In anthology shows, as in sport, selection is central. Some of the 41 songs demanded inclusion. … There are also surprises, such as “Live Alone” and “Like It” (written for the movie Dick Tracy) performed by Clive Rowe. … There will be obvious frustration at the two-off nature of this evening but it would be a surprise if a recording or streaming does not spread the remarkable magic. 5 out of 5 stars.
London Theatre (Matt Wolf): “He’s left us with an impossible choice.” So the impresario Cameron Mackintosh told an entirely rapt crowd near the start of Old Friends. … “Impossible” because the legendary composer-lyricist left behind a capacious back catalogue. … “Sunday” brought the first half to a resounding conclusion, as it does the musical of that name. That left the evening to close on a massive wall of sound, a hefty lineup of drama students included. The musical of choice, as it had to be, was Merrily We Roll Along and that show’s ringing reminder of the profound connections we make to life and art — and, on this occasion, to the bequest of a man whose talent will hold pride of place in the musical theatre pantheon for keeps.
WhatsOnStage (Sarah Crompton): In the end, they all stood on the stage under golden lights, linking arms, and watching the young singers from drama schools who formed the choir singing “Our Time.” … Bernadette Peters, Judi Dench, Julia McKenzie, Imelda Staunton, Michael Ball, Daniel Evans, Maria Friedman among them. … The people on stage had lost a friend; the people watching them felt they had lost one. … It was a night to remember, a warm and wonderful riffling through the back catalogue of someone whose astonishing variety and constant exploration changed musical theatre forever— and will … go on inspiring future generations.