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Company Presented by Brilliant Productions in association with
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About The ShowCompany first made waves when it was written in the seventies and has continued to enjoy repeat success all over the world ever since. Indeed it is a testament to the endurance of the piece that it is still as relevant today as it was over thirty years ago and can be updated to the present day without any trouble at all. It was the multi-award winning production starring Adrian Lester in the West End back in 1996 that really brought Company to the attention of the masses, and without necessarily realizing it, audiences will already be familiar with many of the numbers – such as You Could Drive a Person Crazy, The Ladies Who Lunch, Being Alive and of course, the title track. Set in and around New York, Company follows the fortunes of bachelor boy Bobby who has managed to reach his 35th birthday without finding a wife, much to the concern of his various, match-making friends. With the birthday party as a centrepiece, the show largely takes place in Bobby’s mind, as he experiences a series of revelations and occasionally hallucinations! Through this, and with Bobby as narrator, audiences are given a glimpse of many different relationships, and see both the facades and what is going on behind them, leaving them to wonder if people are really as happy – or unhappy – as they seem. The expositions also highlight Bobby’s own journey as he moves towards an uneasy acceptance of at least the theory of commitment, if not the practice. Company is a bittersweet piece, in places as funny as any episode of Friends, in others sad and thought-provoking. A modern masterpiece. Company was presented by Brilliant Productions in association with the Watford Operatic Society in October 2002 and gained both audience and critical acclaim, winning the 2002 NODA Award for Best Musical. |
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The Cast
Bobby - Richard Sellek
Harry - Julian Wathen
Sarah - Jo Sherry
Peter - Nicholas Maude
Susan - Julie Lilley
David - Martin Scott
Jenny - Annie Simons
Paul - Adrian Barrett
Amy - Fenella Lee
Larry - Keith Davey
Joanne - Diane Carr
April - Alex Bantin
Marta - Julia Riley
Kathy - Ali NewellThe Band
Musical Director/Piano - Ben Sherwood
Keyboards 2 - Mike Childs
Reeds - Andy Potts and Rachael Jams
Bass - Alan Coughlan
Kit/Percussion - Les Arnold
Production Team
Producer/Director/Choreographer
Bobbie Chatt for Brilliant Productions
Musical Director
Ben Sherwood
Stage Manager
Sally Wilson
Production Manager
Chris Swallow
Sound Design and Operation
Jason Brameld assisted by Guy Gerard
Lighting Design and Operation
Colin Chamberlain assisted by Paul Chown, Andy Fricker and Bobbie Chatt
Follow Spot Operator
Richard Harvey
Front Of House Manager
Janet Swallow
Stage Crew
Hanna Johnson, Owen Williams, Jane Williams, Rob Hall, Scott Ragen
Refreshments
Alan Glanville
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Act One
Scene 1: Bobby’s Apartment
Overture - Orchestra
Company - CompanyScene Two: Sarah and Harry’s Living Room
The Little Things You Do Together - Husbands and Wives
Sorry – Grateful - Harry, David, LarryScene Three: Peter and Susan’s roof terrace
Scene Four: Jenny and David’s Den
You Could Drive A Person Crazy - Kathy, Marta, April
Company Reprise - Husbands and Wives
Have I Got A Girl For You? - Husbands
Someone Is Waiting - BobbyScene Five: Various Settings in New York
Another Hundred People - Marta
Scene Six: Amy’s Kitchen
Getting Married Today - Amy, Paul, Wedding Guests
Company Reprise - Company
Marry Me A Little - BobbyAct Two
Scene One: Bobby’s Apartment
Side By Side By Side - Company
Scene Two: Bobby’s Bedroom
Poor Baby - Wives
Barcelona - April, BobbyScene Three: A Nightclub
The Ladies Who Lunch - Joanne
Being Alive - BobbyScene Ten: Bobby’s Apartment
Finale Act Two - Company
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Reviews
Message is still the same today
Watching Stephen Sondheim’s musical Company at the Pump House Theatre last week, I realised the fear of being left on the shelf was as much of a problem in the early seventies as it is today.
Originally a collection of one-act plays, Company examines the nature of marriage and relationships through the eyes of charming bachelor boy, Bobby.
Written in 1970, at a time when cohabitation and divorce were starting to challenge traditional family values, the play offers a glimpse of life behind the façade of happy marriages to reveal hidden cracks and tensions.
Brilliant Productions presented a splendid production of Sondheim’s popular musical, bringing to life emotional and sociological issues.
A very strong cast with excellent choreographic and stage direction by Bobbie Chatt, founder of Brilliant Productions, produced a memorable show.
The show was superbly led by Richard Sellek, who perfectly captured the attractive bachelor’s humour, charm and often drunken laid-back character.
So likeable was his character, it was easy not to morally question the way he kept three girlfriends dangling simultaneously.
A jazzy rhythm, cool lighting effects and dancing distinguished the song ‘Side By Side By Side’ which was a drug induced hallucination with Bobby inviting us to ‘open the doors and see all the crazy married people’
The cast’s ability to combine vocal and acting excellence was exemplified by Julia Riley. Her fine performance of the song ‘Another Hundred People’ was followed by a hilarious discussion with Bobby. Julia’s comic timing and mannerisms had the audience in fits of laughter.
Fenella Lee was fascinating to watch as she sailed through the racy tongue-twisting tune ‘Getting Married Today.
While it may be common to find yourself unmarried at 35 today, Sondheim’s musical portrayal of the dilemmas of being single versus supposed marital bliss is as true now as it ever was.
Jessica Atkinson
Watford ObserverPreviews
Bobbie and co will pump it up
Performers from St Albans will play various parts in a production of the musical comedy Company which is being staged at the Pump House in Watford next week.
Directed and choreographed by one of the stars of this year’s Alban Arena pantomime, Bobbie Chatt, the show takes its comedic cue from TV shows such as Friends and Coupling.
It tells the story of a bachelor who reaches his 35th birthday and as he has no wife or family, his friends embark on a matchmaking endeavour to find him a partner.
The show is a joint venture between Hertfordshire-based Brilliant Productions and the Watford Operatic Society.
Local actors and actresses taking part in the production include Richard Sellek, Fenella Lee, Julian Wathen, Keith Davey and Martin Scott.
St Albans Observer
Would like to meet on stage
If you’ve ever been forced to go on a blind date by meddling friends then you’ll sympathise with bachelor boy Bobby, the main character in Stephen Sondheim’s musical comedy, Company.
The Watford Operatic Society is staging the show at the Pump House Theatre next week in association with Brilliant Productions, the company behind the dazzling production of Fame! that recently set the James Theatre alight.
A 14-strong cast star in this cross between Friends and Coupling, which tells the story of terminally single Bobby who has reached his 35th birthday with no sign of a wife, much to the concern of his matchmaking companions.
With well-known songs such as You Could Drive A Person Crazy, Ladies Who Lunch and Being Alive, Company is one of the best-loved Sondheim musicals.
This version is begin directed and choreographed by Bobbie Chatt and features a mix of professional and amateur performers. Roles are begin taken by Richard Sellek, Julia Riley, Julie Nicholson, Jo Sherry, Annie Simons, Adrian Barrett and Alexandra Bantin, together with Phantom of the Opera’s Nicholas Maude.
The main part is a challenge for any actor and Richard is no exception. He said: ‘The whole show is a series of revelations for Bobby and because of this he hardly ever leaves the stage. It is an amazing piece and because it is so bitter-sweet, audiences won’t know whether to laugh or cry for Bobby and all the characters.’
With the temporary closure of the Palace Theatre, Watford Operatic Society have decided to make the Pump House their surrogate home and this provides the opportunity to put on productions which would not be suitable for a bigger venue.
Bobbie said: ‘Company is a very intimate piece that relies on the strength of its cast and musicians to make it work.’
Watford Observer
