Gala Performance of SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM Marks Ruthie Henshall's Australian Debut

Stephen Sondheim is perhaps peerless in his gift for elucidating the realities of love and relationships through song. And though his most melodic offerings are also his most famous, there are a whole host of revelations to be experienced within the lesser-known compositions of this prolific and profound composer-lyricist.

Perhaps this is why the Sondheim songbook works so well in revue. The audience is given the chance to engage with each song as its own work of art, to discover the gems hidden within even the least successful Sondheim score. In the hands of a masterful interpreter they all get their chance to shine.

Side by Side by Sondheim is one such revue and a show that Enda Markey knows well. At 19 he was the youngest person ever to star in a Side by Side production. After producing a successful Sydney season in 2011, Markey knew he wanted to do something a little different – a little special - with the show. When an opportunity arose to pair with The White Ribbon Foundation, Markey jumped at the chance to both celebrate our Australian theatre industry and raise awareness of a foundation committed to ending violence against women. The idea for a gala performance in aid of White Ribbon was born.

In three short months Markey pulled together a constellation of Australia’s brightest stars to perform on the night. Triumphing over a tangle of schedules, luminaries of the Australian stage came on board, including Peter Cousens, Rachael Beck, Lucy Durack, Helen Dallimore, Geraldine Turner and Margi de Ferranti - all giving of their time freely for the cause.

As the cast grew to include Australia’s new Phantom and his Christine, Ben Lewis and Anna O’Byrne, and Michael Falzon fresh from Rock of Ages, Markey had an idea for a headliner that would be an Australian theatre coup. Long an admirer of Ruthie Henshall’s work, Markey seized at a gap in her schedule and extended an invitation for Henshall to make her Australian debut.

As Markey notes, Ruthie Henshall just happens to be one of the biggest theatre stars in the world. A Broadway and West End legend, Olivier winner Henshall is that masterful interpreter a Sondheim song was made for. 

Invitation accepted, Henshall greeted her Australian audience on the night as the consummate Broadway Baby, before delivering a vocal master class with sensitive and soaring renditions of Send in the Clowns and Losing my Mind. These two songs are jewels in the Sondheim crown, and Ruthie Henshall was note for note their Queen in her down-under debut.

The concert was a huge success all round. Every performance told a Sondheim story with wit and heart. And that sense of heart permeated not only the stage but the standing-o audience.

So would Markey do it again? “I wouldn’t try to recreate the concert” he says, “It was too special”.

Side by Side by Sondheim will however continue to tour across Australia later this year in its original format. “It's such a thrill to have this cast on the road” says Markey of the new touring company featuring Rachael Beck, Michael Falzon, Geraldine Turner and Jessica Rowe as narrator.

With other musical projects on the horizon for 2012, Markey has the best memories of that night at the Theatre Royal. “The atmosphere both in the theatre and backstage - it was incredible. Standing on stage during the finale, surrounded by an amazing array of talent – that is a favourite memory from the night”.

Of his leading lady, Markey says it was thrilling to have her in the show.

As to her first experience of Australian theatre, Henshall herself says, “The Australian people were so welcoming. The theatre audience I experienced was just so proud and happy to be a part of an amazing night for a great cause. I found Australia beautiful. Like an old friend even though I had never been there before.”

An audience on its feet at the curtain call certainly returned the sentiment. Ruthie Henshall, side by side with some of our greatest theatre stars was simply – beautiful.

For information on the 2012 touring production of Side by Side by Sondheim click here.

Photo Credit: Kurt Sneddon