Merrily We Roll Along

West End

Musicals

Harold Pinter Theatre

Until Sat Jul 27

© Tristram Kenton
© Tristram Kenton
© Tristram Kenton
© Tristram Kenton
© Tristram Kenton
© Tristram Kenton
© Tristram Kenton
© Tristram Kenton
© Tristram Kenton
© Tristram Kenton

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Time Out says

Thu May 2 2013

READ OUR STEPHEN SONDHEIM INTERVIEW

Move over ‘Mormon’. On yer bike, ‘Once’. There’s a new West End musical that’s better than the both of you.

Admittedly, I say ‘new’ – ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ is actually 32 years old. But Maria Friedman’s revival marks the first time Stephen Sondheim’s notoriously troubled piece has played in a proper West End theatre, transferring to the Harold Pinter in the wake of its success at the teeny Menier Chocolate Factory.

It’s an apt choice of address, as it happens, because ‘Merrily’ shares a central conceit with Pinter’s ‘Betrayal’ in that both shows tell the chronologically reversed story of a trio of friends whose friendship falls apart, starting with the ‘bad’ present and ending with the ‘good’ past.

But ‘Merrily’ is a warmer, sadder, funnier and wordier affair than Pinter’s chilly masterpiece. It also has a lot more songs. It is just as exquisitely crafted however: it famously took Sondheim and co-writer George Furth more than a decade to beat ‘Merrily’ into shape after its disastrous 1981 Broadway opening, but now it gleams. And in her directorial debut, longtime Sondheim associate Friedman absolutely nails it: the individual scenes are light, tuneful and sassy, but as a whole they form something greater and more affecting.

The rhythm and flow of ‘Merrily’ in its entirety is poignant in the extreme, as the ghastly, coked-up little world presided over by Mark Umbers’s Hollywood producer Frank gradually dissolves into something more wholesome. The years roll back, the hangers-on return to their holes, and the shattered bonds between damaged Frank and his erstwhile best friends Mary (beautifully fragile Jenna Russell) and Charley (brilliantly awkward Damian Humbley) slowly heal and reknit, past Frank’s painful divorce, back to the days when he and Charley were young, eager songwriters.

Sassy, satirical and tear-jerking when necessary, Sondheim’s sharp, bright songs are some of the most likeable he’s written – full of rueful warmth and the odd moment of out-and-out silliness. Anchored by three impeccably human lead performances, a great ensemble and some wonderfully lurid period design from Soutra Gilmour, Friedman’s revival gathers tremendous emotional momentum as it rolls along.

Things flatten a touch in a last half hour that features a little too much of the gang as innocent eager beavers. But if the end is a high note, it’s a profoundly bittersweet one.

Andrzej Lukowski

Critics' choice

5

Comments

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Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Hide map/details

Mon May 20

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

MAP

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Tue May 21

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Wed May 22

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Thu May 23

£10-£59.50.

- 14:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Thu May 23

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Fri May 24

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Sat May 25

£10-£59.50.

- 14:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Sat May 25

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Mon May 27

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Tue May 28

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Wed May 29

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Thu May 30

£10-£59.50.

- 14:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Thu May 30

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Fri May 31

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Sat Jun 1

£10-£59.50.

- 14:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Sat Jun 1

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Mon Jun 3

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Tue Jun 4

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Wed Jun 5

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Thu Jun 6

£10-£59.50.

- 14:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Thu Jun 6

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Fri Jun 7

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Sat Jun 8

£10-£59.50.

- 14:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Sat Jun 8

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

Merrily We Roll Along

Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN Show map/details

Mon Jun 10

£10-£59.50.

- 19:45

Buy tickets

Address:
Harold Pinter Theatre 6 Panton Street
Piccadilly
London
SW1Y 4DN

Phone:
0844 871 7637
Website:
www.ambassadortickets.com
Transport:
Piccadilly Circus tube
Map
1. Harold Pinter Theatre
  - 6 Panton Street
    Piccadilly
    London
    SW1Y 4DN
  - 0844 871 7637
  - www.ambassadortickets.com
  - 51.509317, -0.131814

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Comments & ratings

(3 ratings)

I want to see (again)! :) ✰✰✰✰✰

Marcin About 13 hours ago
Rated as: 5/5
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This is probably one of the best shows I have seen. The songs were excellent, the story was engaging, funny, thought provoking and the whole show was so brilliantly acted and well cast. They have £10 tickets which is a real bargain for such an uplifting, but also quite emotional, show.

Ida About 13 days ago
Rated as: 5/5
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wish this star rating thing worked on the ipad

mark Thu May 2
Rated as: 5/5
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And five stars

Mark Thu May 2
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Superb in every sense. A joy to watch

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