With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the Tony Award winner, A Little Night Music at Hayes Theatre Co. encompasses love, desire and regret. Indeed, regret is the most poignant emotion of the production, touching everyone in different ways. Directed by Dean Bryant, we follow the story of two couples, each with their own secrets and hidden passions.
There is Fredrik Egerman (Leon Ford), who struggles with his desire for his much younger second wife Anne (Melanie Bird), who, while fond of ‘dear old Fredrik’, is not attracted to him. We also have Countess Charlotte Malcolm (Erin Clare), whose love-hate relationship with her cheating, narcissistic husband, Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm (Joshua Robson), concludes in unexpected ways.
Add to this Fredrik’s odd and love-sick son Henrik (Jeremi Campese), the return of a past love in Desiree Armfeldt (Blazey Best), and a fabulous matriarch who wistfully reminisces about her past liaisons in the formidable Madame Armfeldt (Nancye Hayes AM) and you’ve got a witty, frivolous and fast-paced romp.
Unsurprisingly, the iconic Nancye Hayes AM captivates with a stage presence that all young performers aspire to. Her sardonic delivery and overt frankness provide much of the musical’s humour, with her rendition of ‘Liaisons’ a perfect blend of wit and wistful nostalgia.
There are many things to love about A Little Night Music, among them the authentic dynamic between the past lovers Fredrik and Desiree and the incredible performance of ‘Send in the Clowns’ by Blazey Best. Imbued with deep longing and regret, her sadness was palpable, with the performer achieving raw, believable emotion that could be felt around the theatre. A definite highlight.
Then, there are a few aspects that just missed the mark. Appreciating the need to remain faithful to the original production, the first act could be tighter. In contrast, the dining scene in the second act, when we see all our characters thrown together in one fantastic mess of emotions, felt too short. It is the moment the audience has been waiting for, to see all the interconnected narratives explode on stage and characters being passive-aggressive to one another (or blatantly aggressive). It needs space. Although, this is perhaps more a reflection on the original material than this particular production.
While the live music and talented quintet provided an overwhelming musical experience, there were moments when it was too loud and the performers needed to mind their microphones when embracing one another in the excitement of the moment.
A Little Night Music is an entertaining and well-crafted production. A talented and strong cast brings Sondheim’s story to life and will leave you humming “A Weekend in the Country“ long after you leave the theatre.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
A Little Night Music will run until 18 November 2023.
For more information and to buy tickets head to the Hayes Theatre Co. website.
Reviewer attended on 18 October 2023.
All photos by John McCrae.
