Opera North and Leeds Playhouse's production of A Little Night Music – Stephen Sondheim’s romantic musical with an edge – returns to Leeds Playhouse this summer (July 1-16) following its rave-reviewed run last summer.
Bringing together opera singers, musical theatre talent and the Leeds-based Opera North chorus and orchestra, the show features many musical treats, including Sondheim’s biggest hit, Send in the Clowns.
Leeds Playhouse artistic director James Brining returns to direct: “I think A Little Night Music is about making the most of our life, making the most of the people we care most about, and making decisions that feel risky but are also the most rewarding. It’s moving, but it’s also really great fun.”
Another veteran of the piece is Dutch baritone Quirijn de Lang, who reprises the role of mature love interest Fredrik Egerman: “Relationships are messy, but that's what makes us human – and Sondheim is a genius at putting that on the stage.”
Playing Fredrik’s old flame Desiree Armfeldt will be Sandra Piques Eddy: “A Little Night Music is brilliant because it's so light-hearted, but then you get socked in the gut and it's absolutely glorious.”
An Opera North favourite of even longer standing, Dame Josephine Barstow, returns to cast a sardonic eye over proceedings as Madam Armfeldt. Corinne Cowling plays the ingenue bride Anne Egerman, while young tenor Sam Marston makes his Opera North debut as the callow Henrik Egerman.
Opera North's former head of music James Holmes – a specialist in American musical theatre – whose Opera North credits include Carousel, Sweeney Todd, Kiss Me Kate, Into the Woods and Street Scene, will conduct.
Info and tickets here