VIDEO: Stephen Sondheim Discusses His Early Career, Creative Process and More at London's National

As previously reported by BroadwayWorld, Stephen Sondheim, the elder statesman of American musical theatre and undoubtedly the most important Broadway composer/lyricist of the second half of the 20th Century, ventured to London recently to be the guest of Artistic Director Rufus Norris for a 40 minute public chat at the National's Olivier Theatre.

Some of the remarks made at that time by the celebrated lyricist for WEST SIDE STORY and GYPSY, and composer/lyricist for heralded works such as COMPANY, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, SWEENEY TODD and INTO THE WOODS suggested that the "financially fragile" nature of commercial theatre restricts the variety of musicals that get produced.

"I wish there were more of a supermarket of musicals - different kinds of musicals," he noted.

A video of the entire interview has now been posted, where Sondheim tells of being mentored in writing musicals by Oscar Hammerstein II and details his creative process in partnering with his playwright collaborators.