Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends Gala Concert

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends Gala Concert

Cameron Mackintosh / BBC

On 3rd May 2022, friends of the late Stephen Sondheim took to the stage to celebrate his genius, life and legacy. The evening was devised by Cameron Mackintosh and staged by Maria Freidman and Matthew Bourne and the cast performed a selection of iconic, witty, heartbreaking and life-affirming numbers from Sondheim’s sparkling oeuvre. It was a collaboration of some of the brightest stars of Shaftesbury Avenue and 42nd street; Judi Dench, Bernadette Peters, Imelda Staunton, Helena Bonham-Carter, Rob Brydon, Petula Clark, Anna-Jane Casey, Rosalie Craig, Janie Dee, Daniel Evans, Haydn Gwynne, Bonnie Langford, Damian Lewis and Julia McKenzie. Steam captured the evening and simultaneously streamed it to an audience at the Palace Theatre, and on New Year’s Eve, we were proud to share it with the world on BBC 2. The film is a testament to the enduring impact of Sondheim’s work on his friends and colleagues and Steam are honored to have captured and preserved the celebration. Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends is currently available to stream on BBC Iplayer.