Review Roundup: Daniel Evans Leads COMPANY at the Crucible Theatre

Stephen Sondheim's musical COMPANY began performances at the Crucible Theatre at the end of November, with an official opening night on 5th December. The show will continue through 7th January.

Originally produced on Broadway in 1970, Company is a concept musical composed of short vignettes, presented in no particular chronological order, that are linked by a 35th birthday celebration for Bobby, a dedicated bachelor. Unable to fully commit to a steady relationship let alone marriage, Company follows Bobby, his three girlfriends and the five married couples who are his best friends.

The cast is led by Daniel Evans, who's joined by Samantha Spiro, Lucy Montgomery, Kelly Price, David Birrell, Rosalie Craig, Steven Cree, Claire Price, Anna-Jane Casey, Alistair Robins, Samantha Seager and Ian Gelder. Find out what the critics thought of this new production below!

Lyn Gardner, The Guardian: The beauty of Jonathan Munby's revival is that it is smart, sharp, and deliciously retro in Christopher Oram's 1960s design – but also full of real pain...But full-throated, and in the grip of emotional meltdown, it is Daniel Evans as Bobby who fills the void at the heart of this show, and makes us all want to marry him a little. At the end, when Evans sings the spine-tingling Being Alive, he suggests a man who really has awoken from a long slumber and who has finally joined the human race.

Ron Simpson, Whatsonstage.com: Apart from Robert, the various characters have their big numbers, their big scenes, then merge into the ensemble. In Jonathan Munby’s superb production for Sheffield Crucible, casting from strength makes for an outstanding company...Looking at that New York loft, hefty industrial structure contrasting with smart 70s furnishings, the Manhattan sky-line revealed through wall-wide windows, you know you’re in for a treat of smart and worldly New Yorkery.

Sheena Hastings, Yorkshire Post: In a panoply of great voices that beautifully interpret the pungent storytelling and difficult phrasing of some of the songs, this consummate ensemble plays out the bitter-sweetness of sharing your life long-term...Jonathan Munby’s impeccable production has several show-stopping moments, including Amy (Samantha Spiro)’s tongue-twisting Getting Married Today, a drunken rant by Joanna (Francesca Annis) with Ladies Who Lunch and Evans’s soaring Being Alive, accompanied by the rest of the cast. This show has West End transfer stamped all over it. Catch it before it goes.

Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph: Jonathan Munby’s world-class revival reminds us why Sondheim is hailed as a genius...this ingenious, soul-searching piece will sing to us in the most haunting and wittily acute way.

David Dunn, The Star: So begins a bright, laugh-strewn journey powered by the songs of Stephen Sondheim and Simon Hale’s orchestra. Played by jack of all trades artistic director Daniel Evans, Bobby warms to the idea of marriage – “it’s not like I’m avoiding marriage, it’s avoiding me” – only to find on closer inspection it’s not quite what it’s cracked up to be.