The highly anticipated West End return of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends has been delayed by four days after one of the show’s stars, Hadyn Gwynne was forced to withdraw due to ‘sudden personal circumstances’.
Originally due to begin preview performances at the Gielgud Theatre on 16 September, the curtain will now rise on the production on 21 September, to allow time for rehearsals with the as-yet-unnamed replacement cast member.
The show’s producer, Cameron Mackintosh said: “Matthew Bourne and I were naturally very distressed, along with our brilliant cast headed by Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, to learn that Haydn Gwynne must suddenly withdraw from the production, for the immediate future at least.
“Haydn gave an unforgettable performance of ‘The Ladies Who Lunch’ during the Old Friends Gala premiere in May 2022 and has been an integral part of this very close-knit company ever since. Haydn will be very much missed and we all send her our love.
“We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused to our patrons who had bought tickets for the first few performances, particularly those coming from afar. All affected ticket holders will be contacted directly by the box office to make arrangements for you to see an alternative performance as quickly as possible.”
Broadway legend Bernadette Peters (Follies, Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park With George) is due to make her British stage debut in the production alongside Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables) who will return to the London stage for the first time in 27 years. The production will also feature a number of stars who featured in the Gala company last year including Christine Allado (Hamilton, In The Heights), Janie Dee (Carousel, Follies), Bonnie Langford (9 to 5 The Musical, 42nd Street), and Jeremy Secomb (Sister Act, Sweeney Todd), along with Joanna Riding (My Fair Lady, Follies), Jac Yarrow (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Newsies), recent Arts Educational School graduate Marley Fenton (The Wizard of Oz) and Beatrice Penny-Touré (The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins).
The cast is completed by Damian Humbley (The Great British Bake Off Musical, Local Hero), Bradley Jaden (Les Misérables, Wicked), Gavin Lee (Mary Poppins, Top Hat) and Jason Pennycooke (Hamilton, La Cage Aux Folles), with Harry Apps, Bella Brown and Monique Young.
The winner of the 2023 WhatsOnStage award for the Best Theatre Event, the celebration of Sondheim’s timeless work which was devised and produced by Cameron Mackintosh will play a 16-week season from 16 September 2023 until 6 January 2024.
Commenting on the production, Mackintosh said: “I’m delighted to be welcoming so many old friends from my past productions, most of whom have stopped the show as well as some brilliant new ones, to star in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre this autumn. To have gathered so many West End stars, as well as two legendary Broadway performers together for a new show such as this is rare outside a gala. Only the sublime talents of Sondheim could make this happen.
“Steve was always a Broadway Baby at heart, so I’m thrilled that this last show he and I started putting together during Covid is having a life beyond its triumphant gala. Featuring 39 of the greatest songs ever written for the musical theatre, performed by an incredible cast, staged by the incomparable Matthew Bourne, side-by-side with Julia McKenzie and choreographer Stephen Mear, audiences are in for a musical evening they will never forget in one great big Broadway show.”
The creative team also includes conductor Alfonso Casado Trigo, musical supervisor Stephen Brooker, with musical arrangements by Stephen Metcalfe, set design by Matt Kinley, projection design by George Reeve, lighting design by Warren Letton and sound design by Mick Potter.
The original Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at the Sondheim Theatre sold out within hours with a simultaneous screening at the Prince Edward quickly arranged in response to public demand.
Angela Thomas
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