In the last four decades, the composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim has earned a reputation for using musical theatre to tackle difficult subjects with an unconventional and uncompromising approach. In the first of a two part series on Sondheim’s women, Judi Herman has been talking to musical theatre experts and some of his favourite leading ladies. ‘Sunday in the Park with George’ imagines the life and work of the nineteenth century French artist Georges Seurat by bringing to life the figures in his ground-breaking painting ‘Sunday afternoon on the island of La Grand Jatte’. As the musical opens, his mistress and model, Dot, played here by Jenna Russell, is posing on the island in the Seine for the elegantly-dressed figure in the foreground.
‘Merrily We Roll Along’ is at the Derby Playhouse until 19 May; and ‘Side by Side by Sondheim’ continues at the Venue in London until 14 July.
