Christopher Cazenove, Barry Cryer, Les Dennis and Angela Rippon have been unveiled as the guest narrators of Side By Side By Sondheim. The new production of the Sondheim revue show, with musical staging and choreography by Adam Cooper, opens at the Venue on 1 May (previews from 26 April) and runs until 14 July. The narrators perform alongside a cast of West End musical stars; Alasdair Harvey, Abbie Osman and Josie Walker.
Cazenove, who is probably best known as Ben Carrington from high-rolling soap opera Dynasty, narrates from 26 April until 8 May. Cazenove is followed by actor/comedian Dennis, who takes two stints in the role, 8-16 May and 4-9 June. Dennis is a familiar face from his role as the host of long-running quiz show Family Fortunes. His stage roles include Chicago (Adelphi), Murderer (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Marlon Brando's Corset (Greenwich).
Writer and broadcaster Fryer performs for only two days in Side By Side By Sondheim, 17 and 18 May. Rippon has a longer run in the role than Fryer. The former news presenter with a variety of other broadcasting roles on her CV takes to the stage at the Venue between 21 May and 2 June.
Side By Side By Sondheim features a host of Stephen Sondheim's most loved work, taken from musicals including West Side Story, Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Company, Follies, Pacific Overtures and A Little Night Music.
The West End has been a happy hunting-ground for Sondheim fans in recent years. Last year saw the multi award-winning run of Sunday In The Park With George staged at the Wyndham's, while productions of Sweeney Todd ran at the Royal Opera House and Trafalgar Studio 1 in 2003 and 2004. This year the Royal Opera House once again stages a Sondheim classic when Into The Woods plays in the Linbury Studio.
Further casting for Side By Side By Sondheim is expected shortly.
MA