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Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends West End

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends 2023

Ages: 10+
Opened: September 21, 2023
Closing: January 06, 2024

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends - 2023 West End History , Info & More

Gielgud Theatre
(Piccadilly Circus) Shaftesbury Avenue London

Following the triumph of Old Friends at the 2023 WhatsOnStage Awards where it won the Best Theatre Event Award, and the unforgettable all-star gala performance to celebrate the life and work of the great Stephen Sondheim at the theatre named after him in May 2022, Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, devised and produced by Cameron Mackintosh, will open for 16 weeks only from 16 September 2023 - 6 January 2024 at the Gielgud Theatre with many of that Gala cast.

Old Friends all-star cast will again include Bernadette Peters who is appearing in a West End run for the first time in her legendary career and Lea Salonga who is appearing for the first time in 27 years. Co-stars include several of the fabulous Gala company, including Christine Allado, Janie Dee, Bonnie Langford and Jeremy Secomb, joining them will be Beatrice Penny-Touré, Joanna Riding, and Jac Yarrow with further exciting casting to be announced soon.

The thrilling, joyously staged Gala of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends sold out within a couple of hours last year leaving thousands of disappointed fans unable to get tickets, so a simultaneous screening took place at the Prince Edward Theatre. Now by popular demand, audiences will have another chance to see the never to be forgotten and one of the most talked about theatrical events of the year.

__Assisted Performances__

Audio Described: 2.30pm - Saturday 11 November 2023

Captioned: 2.30pm - Saturday 18 November 2023


Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends - 2023 - West End Cast

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends

A perfectly crafted West End love letter to one of the greats
10 / 10

Lea Salonga’s pure voice brings resonance to “Loving You” from Passion, and Bonnie Langford wrests every ounce of humour out of Follies’ “I’m Still Here”, that great tribute to theatrical resilience which mirrors her own trooping career. Janie Dee, meanwhile, walks off with several shows in “The Boy From..”, her eyes flashing with understanding as her lips wrangle the unpronounceable words. Jason Pennycooke lends remarkable energy to “Buddy’s Blues”. But the younger singers shine as well, with Christine Allado, Beatrice Penny-Touré and Bradley Jaden all exceptional in a notably strong ensemble.

Review: Stephen Sondheim’s OLD FRIENDS, Gielgud Theatre
8 / 10

The evening flows effortlessly between numbers and musicals alike, including all of his great shows such as Sunday in the Park with George, Company, Into the Woods, Gypsy, Follies, West Side Story , Merrily We Roll Along and (a real crowd favourite on the night) Sweeney Todd, where Jeremy Secomb and Lea Salonga are delectable as Todd and Lovett, making us think….. we know the show is currently playing in Broadway, but we NEED the Demon Barber to come back to a West End stage very soon. Secomb would make a stupendous Sweeney.

Photo: MISS SAIGON Stars Lea Salonga and Jonathan Pryce Reunite At OLD FRIENDS in the West End
by A.A. Cristi - January 3, 2024


Hey, old friend! Tony and Olivier Award-winner Lea Salonga got a special visitor backstage as her former Miss Saigon co-star, Jonathan Pryce, stopped by Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends!

Review: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS: A CELEBRATION, Live at the Sondheim Theatre, Cast Recording
by Cheryl Markosky - December 13, 2023


Were you one of the lucky few who managed to bag a ticket for the one-night-only, star-studded gala revue, StephenSondheim’s Old Friends, on May 3, 2022?

Will West End's OLD FRIENDS Transfer to Broadway?
by Rialto Chatter - November 14, 2023


Just last month, the company of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends celebrated its West End opening night at the Gielgud Theatre, where it is playing until 6 January 2024. Another opening night might be on the horizon, however...

Photos: Mandy Patinkin Visits Bernadette Peters at STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS
by Stephi Wild - November 10, 2023


Mandy Patinkin recently popped by to watch Bernadette Peters in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre.  Mandy and Bernadette created the roles of George and Dot in Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George on Broadway back in 1984. Check out photos!

Tickets From £35 for STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS at the Gielgud Theatre
by Aliya Al-Hassan - November 6, 2023


Tickets from £35 for Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends.

SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS to Release 5,000 Tickets at £25 For Under 30s
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 23, 2023


Celebrate the success of 'Sondheim's Old Friends' with 5,000 discounted tickets for under 30s. Cameron Mackintosh supports young playwrights, composers, and lyricists with £25 tickets.

Listen to Lea Salonga Sing 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' in OLD FRIENDS
by Nicole Rosky - October 9, 2023


Lea Salonga recently visited 'The Michael Ball Show' to chat about her new role in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends. Listen to the interview and check out her performance of Gypsy's 'Everything's Coming Up Roses'.

Photos: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Company Takes Opening Night Bows
by Stephi Wild - October 4, 2023


Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends officially opened last night at the Gielgud Theatre, where it is playing until 6 January 2024. Check out photos of the company taking their opening night bows here!

Photos: Go Inside Opening Night for STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS
by Aliya Al-Hassan - October 4, 2023


The stars were out in force to celebrate the opening night of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre. Check out the photos below!

Review Roundup: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS in London
by Aliya Al-Hassan - October 4, 2023


Following the unforgettable all-star gala performance to celebrate the life and work of the great Stephen Sondheim at the theatre named after him in May 2022, Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, devised and produced by Cameron Mackintosh, will play until 6 January 2024 at the Gielgud Theatre with many of that Gala cast.

Video: First Look at Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga & More in STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 3, 2023


Get a first look at footage of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends!

Review: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS, Gielgud Theatre
by Aliya Al-Hassan - October 3, 2023


Genius is an overused term these days, but there is really no other word to attribute to the late composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim. From Follies, to Gypsy, to A Little Night Music to West Side Story; few other people have had such a profound impact on musical theatre.

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long has Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends been running on the West End?
Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends opened at the Gielgud Theatre on Thursday Sep 21, 2023 and has now been running for 3 months.

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends History

Other Productions of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends

2023   West End
West End
2025   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway

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