A mixture of gravitas and joie - de - vivre
characterised his work. From fairy tales to George Seurat
Mr Sondheim grasped almost as from fresh air any subject one could choose with a mixture of wit,lyricism
and deep human understanding.
And the music-ah yes the music.
He certainly didn't write the sort of tunes newsboys left the theatre whistling that's for sure.
But he wrote songs performers loved to inhabit.
Songs that grew on the listener.
Songs performed in 'Old Friends' ,Cameron Macintosh's heartfelt tribute by singers and actors with intelligence and sensitivity absolutely appropriate to the material.
There are some unexpected delights,Rob Bryden who I would normally change channels to avoid and Damien Lewis who I would previously have accused of being a trifle po - faced let their hair down and hoof away happily.
Miss Bonham - Carter pleasantly surprises.
The late Hayden Gwynne is extraordinary,a revelation to watchers of 'The Windsors'.
Of course Sondheim diva Bernadette Peters steals every scene she graces,as is her wont.
Michael Ball,mesdames Mckenzie,Langford,Staunton et al live up to their reputations and more.
Dame Judi brings out the subtleties in the iconic 'Send in the clowns'but it is up to Petula Clarke to amaze and delight us with 'I'm here',a defiant riposte to ageism.
That these performances have been preserved and I can watch them all again on BBC i-player whenever I wish makes me grateful to Mr Macintosh and our much - maligned(often it has to be said by me)National Broadcaster.
And the music-ah yes the music.
He certainly didn't write the sort of tunes newsboys left the theatre whistling that's for sure.
But he wrote songs performers loved to inhabit.
Songs that grew on the listener.
Songs performed in 'Old Friends' ,Cameron Macintosh's heartfelt tribute by singers and actors with intelligence and sensitivity absolutely appropriate to the material.
There are some unexpected delights,Rob Bryden who I would normally change channels to avoid and Damien Lewis who I would previously have accused of being a trifle po - faced let their hair down and hoof away happily.
Miss Bonham - Carter pleasantly surprises.
The late Hayden Gwynne is extraordinary,a revelation to watchers of 'The Windsors'.
Of course Sondheim diva Bernadette Peters steals every scene she graces,as is her wont.
Michael Ball,mesdames Mckenzie,Langford,Staunton et al live up to their reputations and more.
Dame Judi brings out the subtleties in the iconic 'Send in the clowns'but it is up to Petula Clarke to amaze and delight us with 'I'm here',a defiant riposte to ageism.
That these performances have been preserved and I can watch them all again on BBC i-player whenever I wish makes me grateful to Mr Macintosh and our much - maligned(often it has to be said by me)National Broadcaster.
