Handsworth and Hallam Theatre Co raise the bar and the roof with their highly enjoyable and professional production of Stephen Sondheim’s Company – A Musical Comedy. What a refreshing change to review something a little different from the norm and witness a local theatre company dealing with a notoriously difficult dark comedic production with such flair and ease – the time flew by and I was highly impressed!
Directed with admirable confidence by Matthew Walker, with directorial assistance from Jane Jefferson-Blythe, the eleven vignettes are merged seamlessly and with purpose. Hayley Wilbourne and Beth Cooke’s choreography gives much to the production and the rehearsal is evident with the complexity of the use of stage and proxemics. A production team at the top of their game.
Originally produced and directed in 1970 on Broadway by Harold Prince, with Orchestrations by Jonathon Tunick, with Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and the Book by George Furth and winner of six of the 14 Tony Awards it was nominated for. Revised and modernised by Sondheim and Furth in the early 1990’s, the game-changing musical Company is credited as being amongst the first Book Musicals to deal with contemporary marriage, dating and divorce. A notable example of a Concept Musical and lacking a linear plot, a series of eleven sophisticated and honest vignettes following New York bachelor Bobby’s interactions with his vivid yet real, married friends who throw him a ‘surprise’ party for his 35th birthday.
Sondheim’s brisk and energetic score is a real challenge both for musicians and singers alike with its asymmetrical meters with sifting time signatures; unconventional dense harmonies with dissonant chords and its accompaniment’s heavy reliance on counterpoint. Then, add to that, the brutal ‘patter’ songs such as ‘Getting Married Today’ which tests the pianist’s stamina and precise due to its blistering speed and you will understand how my first mention is the Musical Director and Keys Steve Trotter with Jane Ledwood on Keys 2, Matthew Knowles on Trumpet, Any Gurnhill on Trombone with Laura Skyers, Lizzie Parkes and Rona Gurnhill on Reeds, Matt Jackson on Bass Guitar and Dominic Lidler on Drums and Percussion. May I applaud you, the music you created was honest and effective and created the perfect ambience to allow the characters to unburden on the stage. The 14 strong cast handled the musical intricacies with the aplomb and the precision required and sounded exceptional in ensemble as well as in solo/duet numbers.
Joseph Walker as Bobby gave a strong and emotive performance and as always remained the consummate professional, the glue to hold the show together. Walker’s final rendition of Being Alive was perfectly aimed and hit hard with the audience, drawing the confusion of this dilemma to a beautifully warming conclusion. Richard Granger as Harry has a wonderfully clear and expressive MT voice and his dialogue is exceptional in delivery. As his wife Sarah, Katie Granger has some extremely funny moments and her Karate skills are a … wonder! Watch out for the pairings physical theatre antics.
Andrew Stansell (Peter) and Sarah Morrell (Susan) are as cute a couple as you get and be ready for Morrell’s soprano voice, impressive! Neil Kirkman (David) and Catherine Harben (Jenny) get stoned together and during this time become my favourite couple and storyline – A lovely example of creating an undercurrent.
Sam Widdowson as Paul and Katie Dolling as Amy provide the hysterical laughter in the show and leave the audience wide eyed with amazement! Sarah Buckley as Joanne and Steve Mather as Larry, gives the complexity of relationships and their vignette hits hard. Buckley’s solo The Ladies who Lunch is a Tour De Force, immersive – breath taking.
With important roles to play, Bobby’s love interests/friends complete the cast. Sara Ross as Kathy, Bethan Griffiths as Marta and Grace Hadabora as April are polar opposites and offer differing prospects and problems. So much of the production is ensemble work and the direction, choreography and skill of the cast collectively created a very special and inclusive production that kept the whole audience laughing, thinking, and questioning throughout.
I can thoroughly recommend a visit to witness this highly notable and accomplished production, this really is a cut above the rest. (It was well worth missing England’s opening match for and I mean that!) Handsworth and Hallam Theatre Co’s Company – Musical Comedy is at the University of Sheffield Drama Studio until June 20th 2026, and I can vouch it will be amongst the best ‘company’ you have had for a long time…
Reviewed: Tracey Bell
Reviewed: 17th June 2026
North West End UK Rating: