Stephen Sondheim gala to be held at Sondheim Theatre

Judi Dench, Bernadette Peters and Elaine Paige will take part.

West End and Broadway performers will come together for a night of remembering Stephen Sondheim's musical theatre legacy. A Stephen Sondheim gala, titled Old Friends, will play for one night only at the Sondheim Theatre — a West End theatre named after the lauded composer — on 3 May.

“It is impossible to overstate the influence and contribution Stephen Sondheim has made to musical theatre, both personally and professionally” said Cameron Mackintosh. “He was as great a teacher as he was an incomparable writer and the Little Things that he did for so many people forged legions of friendships throughout his long life."

"Steve was so prolific and profound as a writer that it’s impossible to put together a definitive list of his greatest songs, as everyone has their own favourites, so our choice of songs will purely reflect the joy and love I have for one of the greatest Broadway Babies of all time.”

An all-star cast will assemble for the Stephen Sondheim gala. The confirmed cast so far includes Michael Ball, Rob Brydon, Anna-Jane Casey, Petula Clark, Rosalie Craig, Janie Dee, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Rob Houchen, Bonnie Langford, Adrian Lester, Damian Lewis, Julia Mckenzie, Julian Ovenden, Bernadette Peters, Elaine Paige, Clive Rowe, Imelda Staunton, Hannah Waddingham and Gary Wilmot. ⁩

Stephen Sondheim was a multi-award-winning composer and lyricist who worked on musicals such as Company, Gypsy and Into the Woods. Sondheim passed away on 26 Nov. 2021, at the age of 91. Read more about Stephen Sondheim musicals.

Proceeds from the gala will go to the Stephen Sondheim Foundation, with proceeds used to support future playwrights, composers and lyricists.

The Old Friends gala will also be shown as a live screening. The live screening will take place at the Prince Edward Theatre, and Old Friends tickets at the Prince Edward Theatre will go on sale on 30 March.

Photo credit: Stephen Sondheim (Photo by Michel Le Poer Trench)