Sydney Reviews

Imagine you were one of the most celebrated architects in the world. So loved that one day you decided to mash all your designs together into one big house for people to come and admire to appreciate a life of work.

Stephen Sondheim has done just that. Putting it Together is a musical revue of Sondheim’s work including numbers from shows such as Into the Woods, A Little Night Music, Dick Tracey, Sweeney Todd and many more.

Devised by Sondheim and Julia McKenzie, Putting it Together is set against the backdrop of an all-night, black tie cocktail party. Sounds a bit Meta doesn’t it? Shows within a show, but works seamlessly well, I coin the idea Meta-Sondheim.

The revue sees two couples, one old, one young and an observer survive a night of alcohol, jealousy, bad behaviour and finally reconciliation all through previous numbers from previous Sondheim productions.

You’d think Putting it Together would only be suitable for the diehard Sondheim fans, the audience member who could nod along to the cleverly placed number from Dick Tracey or Sweeney Todd but this production suits all.

The plot of the production is reminiscent of Mike Leigh’s stage and television play Abigail’s Party. In just one night and just one setting characters fall apart in front of an audience. Fuelled by alcohol, cracks appear in relationships and friendships. In that one night characters are turned inside out in revealing twists and turns accompanied by some of the great Sondheim classics.
The production of Putting it Together was put together by OVO Australia, a new theatre project established with the aim of providing an outlet and the environment to develop for young and aspiring performers, producers and directors who’s only want is to create.

The company were a humble group of great talent with one obvious concern, to entertain an audience, and this they did. Artistic Director Alan D. Duncan starred alongside the ensemble as The Husband of the older couple, his voice comparable to the tones of great actors who have played Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. The Younger Woman played by Cara Dibdin had the package – she could sing, dance and act, and all done elegantly well on the smallest of stages. Another member who stood out from the pack was Will Stavert playing the role of The Younger Man, singing so well I’d hoped he’d have a few more numbers packed into the revue.

The company worked with basic props, a small stage and a couple of chairs. The audience lolled about on couches by candlelight, an intimate evening, a simple setup, the perfect Friday night.

OVO Australia is a company, who purely wish to entertain, unassuming and modest. It was nice to see in the interval a character tip their head into the audience to throw a smile at a friend. These are the kinds of things that create a following, it’s always nice to really appreciate performers, it’s even better when you feel like they appreciate you too.


OVO Australia presents
Putting It Together
by Stephen Sondheim and Julia McKenzie

Venue: The Oxford Hotel – The Supper Club | 134 Oxford Street, Sydney
Dates: Sep 11 – 30, 2011
Tickets: $16.00
Bookings: thesydneyfringe.com.au

Part of the 2011 Sydney Fringe Festival