A Little Night Music

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An elegant musical of love and liaisons at The Questors Theatre

The close of April brings with it the highly anticipated opening of The Questors Theatre's newest musical production, as Stephen Sondheim's acclaimed A Little Night Music opens for a two-week run.

Famously based on Ingmar Bergman's film Smiles of a Summer Night, the story follows Sweden's 1900s corseted upper-middle-class, confined to a society alive with absurd love rectangles and passionate revelations.

While a Sondheim production is a challenge for many, it's not unfamiliar to one cast member, Paul James. Studying under Stephen Sondheim himself, at Oxford, Paul is very familiar with the quirks and complexities that make a Sondheim musical unique.

Paul plays middle-aged lawyer, Fredrik Egerman, whose 18-year-old bride is yet to fulfil her wifely duties in the bedroom after 11 months of marriage. From the challenges of playing Fredrik himself, to the demanding song repertoire, it's a challenge that Paul is happy to take on. He admits: "Getting back into shape vocally was the greatest challenge, having not sung in anger for a little while."

Paul offers a useful tip for approaching a Sondheim production: "Don't take every word as holy writ that is drenched in meaning so that one is almost scared of the piece. Sondheim, genius though he is, is a practical showman."

While The Questors company has taken some creative licence in its production, it does remain very true to the original piece. Paul says: "As regards to this show, one thing that Steve is always really hot on is not to overlook the contribution of book writer Hugh Wheeler, on whose brilliant libretto everything hangs."

However, taking away the biggest lesson from his tutor, Paul says it's simple: "Keep going. Avoid the obvious." Especially when delving into the complexities of love, liaisons, and nostalgia, this advice is imperative for understanding the complexities of Sondheim's storytelling.

Director Rachel Moorhead adds: "A Little Night Music is such a fantastic show to do at The Questors. The depth of talent across our memberships allows us to truly do justice to one of the main themes of the show: Age. A Little Night Music is so dependent on the ages and relationships of each character being believable. A 50-year-old man married to a 19-year-old; the dynamics of grandmother, daughter and granddaughter. I think with any other group I would have struggled. But with the breadth of the The Questors' membership we have managed to assemble a very strong, talented cast covering the ages of 19 to 70. It is going to be something a little bit special."

Paul James is joined by a cast of incredibly talented musical theatre actors and a masterful creative team.

The Questors Theatre production of A Little Night Music runs from 29 April until 14 May in the Studio at The Questors Theatre. It is suitable for ages 11+

April 28, 2016