Merrily We Roll Along

By Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Alan Duncan

23rd - 27th November 2004
Trestle Arts Base, St Albans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What were the key events in your life?
What decisions did you make in the past that have resulted in you becoming the person you are now?
Would you do it all differently if you had the benefit of 20/20 hindsight?

This exciting and challenging show tells of the disintegration of the friendship of successful songwriter Franklin Shepard, his lyricist Charlie Kringas, and novelist Mary Flynn.

The action moves backwards through a 20-year period, and allows the audience to explore the characters' life journey and breakdown into materialism, superficiality and betrayal, from a starting point of hope, optimism and sincerity.

Merrily includes the songs 'Our Time', 'Good Thing Going' and 'Not A Day Goes By'.

This cult musical, with score and lyrics by multiple Tony Award winner Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, is based on the original play by George Kaufman and Moss Hart.

Although the original Broadway production ran for only 16 performances, Merrily has since come to be acknowledged as a classic example of the American musical.

Cast

Franklin Shepard (a Broadway song writer) - Mick Wilson
Charley Kringas (his partner, a lyricist) - Guy Featherstone
Mary Flynn (his friend, a writer) - Lisa White
Beth Spencer (his wife) - Jacqui Gray
Gussie Carnegie (his leading lady, a Broadway star) - Carole Laine
Joe Josephson (his producer) – Alan Duncan
Meg Kinkaid (his latest protogee) - Dipika Guha
Mrs Spencer (his wife's mother) - Sue Dyson
KT (a television gossip columnist) - Kirstie Paul
Tyler (his agent) - Helen Huson
Dotty (his publicist) - Linda Bagaini
Jerome (his lawyer) - Chris Doody
Dory (his PA) - Jean Haldane
Ru (his stage manager) - Stuart Goaman

Creative team

Consultant Director - Adam Nichols 
Musical Directors – Malcolm Dorling, Harold Purvis
Vocal Coach – Carole Laine
Musical numbers staged by - Anna Cluddan
Production Assistant – Kylie Duncan
Stage Manager – Alison Begley
Properties – Sue Dyson
Lighting design – Phil Hamilton
Set Construction – Vic Bather