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alec Send email icon
Mon, 7th Jul 2008
16:36
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A Spoonful of Stiles and Drewe

I know its not strictly Sondheim related but bear with me as there is a link here :)
Went to see the 25th anniversary concert for Stiles and Drewe last night and it was truly wonderful.
So nice to hear songs that I did not already know apart from Honk and Mary Poppins. A great cast and
so well put together.
Now here come the Sondheim links.
Barry Humphries introduced the evening and said that many years ago someone said to him "watch out for these two" and the person who said it was SS.
There was a very funny song performed called Diva sung by a woman who sang off key and a mention of Sondheim and a couple of bars from Into the Woods in the song.
The 3rd year students from Arts Ed were the ensemble and, as always, performed fantastically. These guys have done a few of the Sondheim Galas, Barbara Cooke birthday and Simply Sondheim at Cadogan Hall last year.
Finally many of the performers have done Sondheim in the past including Clive Rowe, Daniel Boys, Richard Dempsey who played Jack in the orignal London Production of of Into the Woods.
They did some numbers from a new show they are writing called Soho Cinders which looks very interesting.
 
Andrew Shaw Send email icon
Mon, 7th Jul 2008
19:32
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RE: A Spoonful of Stiles and Drewe

Hi Alec, I was there too. May have mentioned on these boards previously, but I was at school with Anthony Drewe. I am very proud of both of them.

Glad you found so many Sondheim connections!

Talk about Swell Party, (sorry another posting I know) but there was a great party after the gala and I got to meet Gareth Gates!
 
Porcupine Send email icon
Tue, 8th Jul 2008
22:59
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RE: A Spoonful of Stiles and Drewe

I was also present and thoroughly enjoyed it. I do think S&D are not as appreciated by the general public as they should be - they're really a national treasure - such unassuming guys, and consistently high standard of songs. However, am I alone in being disappointed with their new Cinderella show? I thought it was the weakest part of the evening and needs a lot of work. Gareth Gates was awful!!
 
alec Send email icon
Wed, 9th Jul 2008
17:52
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RE: A Spoonful of Stiles and Drewe

Well I think its "a work in progress" but I did quite like the songs and the idea. London needs new material. We have far too many revivals and musicals made up of old pop/rock songs with a weak plot holding it together. Lets hope we get to see it. I also liked the idea of the musical version of A Private Function that they are working on.
As for Gareth Gates, I think the general opinion judging by the comments on the Dress Circle message board that people felt he was weak. I think its because he is a "pop" star rather than an actor/musical theatre performer and could not project his voice like the others could. He had a lovely voice but it was quiet and could not be heard well. But good on him for having a stab at it.
 
Porcupine Send email icon
Wed, 9th Jul 2008
19:58
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RE: A Spoonful of Stiles and Drewe

Alec - I agree with everything you say. I just felt a bit disappointed with it in comparison with the older works, but you're right, it's a "work in progress" and will undoubtedly undergo many revisions before it appears on stage properly. The important thing is that new musical theatre continues to be created - I too feel frustrated at the number of "Juke Box Musicals" which are appearing. It's like listening to a tribute band with a very slim storyline holding it together - entertaining maybe, but not really musical theatre in the true sense I think.