A LI T TL E NI GH T M U S IC

EOLAS FAOIN CEOLDRÁMA

• IS CEOLDRÁMA É A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC LE CEOL AGUS LIRICÍ LE STEPHEN SONDHEIM AGUS LEABHAR LE HUGH
WHEELER. SPREAGTHA AG SCANNÁN INGMAR BERGMAN 1955 SMILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT, BAINEANN SÉ LE
SAOL RÓMÁNSÚIL ROINNT LÁNÚIN. IS É AN TEIDEAL ATÁ AIR NÁ AISTRIÚCHÁN LITEARTHA BÉARLA DEN AINM
GEARMÁNACH DO SERENADE UIMH. 13 DE MOZART LE HAGHAIDH TEAGHRÁIN I G MAJOR, EINE KLEINE
NACHTMUSIK. CUIMSÍONN AN CEOLDRÁMA AN T-AMHRÁN MÓRÉILIMH "SEND IN THE CLOWNS". Ó TÁIRGEADH
BUNAIDH BROADWAY I 1973, THAITIN LÉIRIÚCHÁIN GHAIRMIÚLA LEIS AN GCEOL SAN WEST END, AG
CUIDEACHTAÍ CEOLDRÁMAÍOCHTA, IN ATHBHEOCHAN BROADWAY IN 2009, AGUS IN ÁITEANNA EILE, AGUS IS
ROGHA COITIANTA É DO GHRÚPAÍ RÉIGIÚNACHA. CUIREADH IN OIRIÚINT É DON SCANNÁN I 1977, LE HAROLD
PRINCE AG STIÚRADH AGUS ELIZABETH TAYLOR, LEN CARIOU, LESLEY-ANNE DOWN, AGUS DIANA RIGG AR STÁITSE
ACHOIMRE
• I NDIAIDH NA SUALAINNE SA CHÉID SEO, TÁ NEART TRIALACHA ANN. PHÓS AN DLÍODÓIR FREDRIK EGERMAN AN T-
ÓGÁNACH 18 MBLIANA D’AOIS ANNE, A BHFUIL MAC FREDRIK, AN T-ACADÚIL LIONN DUBH HENRIK, TAR ÉIS TITIM I NGRÁ
LEIS. TÁ BAINT AG DESIREE ARMFELDT, AISTEOIR STÁITSE LE HÁILLEACHT MHÓR (AGUS CÁIL UIRTHI AN OIREAD LEANNÁN A
GHLACADH AGUS A DHÉANANN SÍ RÓIL AMHARCLAINNE) LEIS AN GCOMHAIREAMH BUFFOONISH CARL MAGNUS MALCOLM,
FEAR CÉILE AN CHUNTAOIS CINICIÚIL AGUS GHREANNMHAR CHARLOTTE MALCOLM. NUAIR A FHEICEANN DESIREE A SEAN-
LASAIR FREDRIK EGERMAN I LUCHT FÉACHANA A LÉIRIÚCHÁIN IS DÉANAÍ, ÁFACH, DÉANTAR A SPÉIS ANN A ATHINSINT
LÁITHREACH. TAGANN NA PÁIRTITHE GO LÉIR LE CHÉILE LE HAGHAIDH “DEIREADH SEACHTAINE SA TÍR” AG EASTÁT
MHÁTHAIR DESIREE, MADAME ARMFELDT’S, ÁIT A LEANANN AN GRÉASÁN TANGLED DE GHNÉITHE RÓMÁNSÚLA AG
DÉANAMH IONTAIS DÚINN LENA RITEOGA AGUS CASADH. SCÉAL GRÁ, CUMHA, AIFÉALA AGUS DRAÍOCHT AN CHEOIL AR
OÍCHE SHAMHRAIDH ATÁ SAN AMHRÁN CLASAICEACH “SEND IN THE CLOWNS” AGUS SCÓR ÁLAINN ÁLAINN.
PÓSTAER TÁIRGEACHTA BROADWAY
EOLAS

Ceol Stephen Sondheim

Lirící Stephen Sondheim
Leabhar Hugh Wheeler
Cumadóir Stephen Sondheim
Seanrá Amharclann ceol
 PLOTA
Suite i 1900 sa tSualainn, déanann A Little Night Music
iniúchadh ar an ngréasán gnóthaí atá dírithe ar an aisteoir,
Desirée Armfeldt, agus ar na fir a bhfuil grá aici di: dlíodóir darbh
ainm Fredrik Egerman agus an Count Carl-Magnus Malcom. Nuair a sheinneann
an t-aisteoir taistil i mbaile Fredrik, athdhearbhaíonn paisean na leannán coimhthithe.
Buaileann sé seo flúirse éad agus amhras idir Desirée; Fredrik; Bean chéile Fredrick, Anne;
Leannán reatha Desirée, an Líon; agus bean chéile an Chuntais, Charlotte. Aontaíonn an
bheirt fhear
chomh maith lena mná céile éad - dul le Desirée agus a teaghlach le
haghaidh deireadh seachtaine sa tír ag eastát mháthair Desirée. Le gach duine
in aon áit amháin, bíonn iontais gan deireadh ag baint le féidearthachtaí gan teorainn
an rómánsaíochta nua agus an dara seans.
CARACHTAIR
• FREDRIK EGERMAN: DLÍODÓIR MEÁNAOSTA BAINTREACH RATHÚIL. TÁ SÉ PÓSTA LEIS AN ANNE 18 MBLIANA D’AOIS AGUS TÁ MAC
AMHÁIN ACU ÓNA PHÓSADH ROIMHE SEO, HENRIK. SAN AM ATÁ CAITE, BHÍ SÉ FÉIN AGUS DESIREE INA LEANNÁIN.

• ANNE EGERMAN: BEAN CHÉILE NAIVE NUA FREDRIK, ATÁ FÓS INA MAIGHDEAN TAR ÉIS 11 MHÍ PÓSTA. SOPRÁN G ♯3 - A5 HENRIK
EGERMAN: MAC FREDRIK, 20 BLIAIN D’AOIS AGUS LEASMHAC ANNE. TÁ SÉ DÁIRÍRE ACH MEARBHALL; LÉANN SÉ SAOTHAIR FEALSÚNA
AGUS DIAGACHTA AGUS É AG STAIDÉAR DON TSAGARTACHT LIÚTARACH. CÚIS MHÓR LENA SUAITHEADH ​IS EA A MBRÚ GNÉASACH,
AGUS É AG MEALLADH I NDIAIDH ANNE AGUS AG IARRAIDH TEAGMHÁIL GHNÉASACH A BHEITH AIGE LE PETRA. TENOR G2 - B4 PETRA:
MAID ANNE AGUS AN CONFIDANTE IS GAIRE, BRASH, TROM AGUS FLIRTATIOUS. TÁ CAIDREAMH AICI LE HENRIK.

• HENRIK EGERMAN: MAC FREDRIK, 20 BLIAIN D’AOIS AGUS LEASMHAC ANNE. TÁ SÉ DÁIRÍRE ACH MEARBHALL; LÉANN SÉ SAOTHAIR
FEALSÚNA AGUS DIAGACHTA AGUS É AG STAIDÉAR DON TSAGARTACHT LIÚTARACH. CÚIS MHÓR LENA SUAITHEADH ​IS EA A MBRÚ
GNÉASACH, AGUS É AG MEALLADH I NDIAIDH ANNE AGUS AG IARRAIDH TEAGMHÁIL GHNÉASACH A BHEITH AIGE LE PETRA.
CARACHTAIR
• PETRA: MAID ANNE AGUS AN CONFIDANTE IS GAIRE, BRASH, TROM AGUS FLIRTATIOUS. TÁ CAIDREAMH AICI
LE HENRIK.

• DESIREE ARMFELDT: AISTEOIR FÉIN-SHÚITE, AR ÉIRIGH LÉI UAIR AMHÁIN, AGUS Í AR CAMCHUAIRT FAOIN
TUATH ANOIS NACH LÉIR SA “SAOL GLAMACH”. GRÁ HARBORED DO FREDRIK BLIANTA Ó SHIN I LEITH.

• FREDRIKA ARMFELDT: INÍON TRÍ BLIANA DÉAG D’AOIS DESIREE, A D’FHÉADFADH A BHEITH NÓ NACH TÁIRGE
(GAN AITHNE DO FREDRIK) AN GAOL ATÁ AG AN AISTEOIR AGUS FREDRIK.

• MADAME ARMFELDT: MÁTHAIR DESIREE, IAR-CHÚIRTÉISEACH A RAIBH “IDIRCHAIDRIMH” AICI LE RÍCHÍOSA.

CARACHTAIR
• LÍON CARL- MAGNUS MALCOLM: DRAGO MÍLEATA AN LEANNÁN IS DÉANAÍ DE CHUID DESIREE. CUIREANN
HYPOCRITICALLY LUACH AR DHÍLSEACHT, TOISC GO BHFUIL SEILBH MHÓR AIGE AR A BHEAN CHÉILE
AGUS A MÁISTREÁS. RÓL GRINN.

• AN CHUNTAOIS CHARLOTTE MALCOLM: BEAN CHÉILE CARL-MAGNUS, A GCUIREANN SÉ A HEASLÁIN I

MBAOL. TÁ MEAS MÓR AICI AR A FEAR CÉILE AS A IOMPAR, ACH GÉILLEANN SÍ DÁ ORDUITHE MAR GHEALL
AR A GRÁ DÓCHASACH DÓ. FÉIN-GHRÁNNA AGUS ALCÓLACH TEORANN, ACH FÓS AN LEATH IS CLISTE DEN
LÁNÚIN MALCOLM.

• FRID: SEIRBHÍSEACH MADAME ARMFELDT. TÁ TRIAIL LE PETRA.

CARACHTAIR
• AN CÚIGRÉAD: LINDQUIST UAS., BEAN NORDSTROM, BEAN ANDERSSEN, ERLANSON UAS. AGUS SEGSTROM MRS. GRÚPA
CÚIGEAR AMHRÁNAITHE A FHEIDHMÍONN MAR CHURFÁ GRÉAGACH. UAIREANTA TUGTAR NA LIEBESLIEDER SINGERS
ORTHU CÉ NÁR SCRÍOBH STEPHEN SONDHEIM AGUS HUGH WHEELER IAD CHUN AN TEIDEAL SIN A BHEITH ACU, AG BAINT
ÚSÁIDE AS QUINTET INA IONAD. THÁINIG AN CHÉAD ÚSÁID DE LIEBESLIEDERS DON QUINTET LE LINN LÉIRIÚCHÁN 1990 I
NUA EABHRAC. DÚIRT PRINCE GO LÉIRÍONN NA CARACHTAIR SEO "DAOINE SA SEÓ NACH BHFUIL AG CUR AMÚ AMA ...
BAINEANN AN DRÁMA LE CUR AMÚ AMA

• MALLA: MAID DESIREE, A BHÍONN LÉI I GCÓNAÍ. CUID CHIÚIN

• OSA: MAID AG MANSA MADAME ARMFELDT. CUID CHIÚIN
• BERTRAND: LEATHANACH AG MANSA MADAME ARMFELDT. CUID CHIÚIN
UIMHREACHA CEOL
Act I
•Overture – Mr. Lindquist, Mrs.
Nordstrom, Mrs. Anderssen, Mr. Erlanson
and Mrs. Segstrom (the "Quintet")
•"Night Waltz" – Company
•"Now" – Fredrik Egerman
•"Later" – Henrik Egerman
•"Soon" – Anne Egerman
•"Soon/Later/Now" – Anne, Henrik and
Fredrik
•"The Glamorous Life" – Fredrika
Armfeldt, Desiree Armfeldt, Madam
Armfeldt and Quintet
•"Remember?" – Quintet
•"You Must Meet My Wife" – Desiree and
Fredrik
•"Liaisons" – Madam Armfeldt
•"In Praise of Women" – Count Carl-
Magnus Malcolm
•"Every Day a Little Death" – Countess
Charlotte Malcolm and Anne
•"A Weekend in the Country" – Company
Act II
•Entr'acte – Orchestra
•"Night Waltz I (The Sun Won't Set)" –
Quintet Additional musical numbers
•"Night Waltz II (The Sun Sits Low)" – Stage:
Quintet •"Two Fairy Tales" – Henrik and Anne (cut for time)
•"It Would Have Been Wonderful" – •"Silly People" – Frid (cut for time)
Fredrik and Carl-Magnus •"Bang!" – Carl-Magnus (replaced by "In Praise of
•"Perpetual Anticipation" – Mrs. Women")
Nordstrom, Mrs. Segstrom and Mrs. •"My Husband the Pig" – Charlotte (replaced by the
Anderssen second half of "In Praise of Women")
•"Dinner Table Scene" – Orchestra Screen:
•"Send In the Clowns" – Desiree •"Love Takes Time" – Company (lyrics added to Night
•"The Miller's Son" – Petra
Waltz)
•"The World Won't End/Every Day a Little
•"The Glamorous Life" – Fredrika (solo version)
Death (reprise)" – Desiree and Charlotte
•Reprises ("Soon", "You Must Meet My
Wife", "A Weekend in the Country" and
"Every Day a Little Death") – Quintet
•"Send in the Clowns" (Reprise) –
Desiree and Fredrik
•"Last Waltz" – Orchestra
STÍL CEOL
CUIDEACHTAÍ CEOLDRÁMA
• TÁ AN CEOLDRÁMA ANOIS MAR CHUID DE STÓR CÚPLA CUIDEACHTA CEOLDRÁMA. BA É MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE AN CHÉAD CHUIDEACHTA MHÓR
CEOLDRÁMAÍOCHTA MEIRICEÁNACH A CHUIR AN SAOTHAR I LÁTHAIR I 1983, AGUS ARÍS I MÍ NA SAMHNA 2009. CHUIR LIGHT OPERA WORKS (EVANSTON, IL) AN
SAOTHAR AR FÁIL I MÍ LÚNASA 1983. CHUIR NEW YORK CITY OPERA AR STÁITSE É I 1990, 1991 AGUS 2003 , AN HOUSTON GRAND OPERA I 1999, OPERA LOS
ANGELES I 2004, AGUS AMHARCLANN OPERA HARTFORD IN 2014. BHUAIGH LÉIRIÚCHÁN NEW YORK CITY OPERA I MÍ LÚNASA 1990 AGUS IÚIL 1991 (18 LÉIRIÚ
SAN IOMLÁN) GRADAM DEASC DRÁMAÍOCHTA 1990 DON ATHBHEOCHAN SÁRMHAITH AGUS CRAOLADH AR AN SEÓ PBS LIVE AG IONAD LINCOLN AN 7 SAMHAIN,
1990. [30] ÁIRÍODH AR AN BHFOIREANN TAIBHEOIRÍ STÁITSE: SALLY ANN HOWES AGUS GEORGE LEE ANDREWS MAR DESIREE AGUS FREDERICK AGUS REGINA
RESNIK RIALTA CEOLDRÁMA MAR MADAME ARMFELDT (I 1991). [31] I LÉIRIÚ 2003 BHÍ ANNA KENDRICK ÓG MAR FREDRIKA ARMFELDT, IN ÉINEACHT LE JEREMY
IRONS MAR FREDERICK, JULIET STEVENSON MAR DESIREE, CLAIRE BLOOM MAR MADAME ARMFELDT, DANNY GURWIN MAR HENRIK, MICHELE PAWK MAR
CHARLOTTE, AGUS MARC KUDISCH MAR CARL-MAGNUS. [32] CHUIR OPERA AUSTRALIA AN PÍOSA I LÁTHAIR I MELBOURNE I MBEALTAINE 2009, AGUS SIGRID
THORNTON MAR DESIREE ARMFELDT AGUS NANCYE HAYES MAR MADAME ARMFELDT. D’FHILL AN LÉIRIÚ IN 2010 I DTEACH OPERA SYDNEY LE ANTHONY WARLOW
AG GLACADH RÓL FREDRIK EGERMAN. BA É STUART MAUNDER A STIÚRAIGH AN LÉIRIÚ, DEARTHA AG ROGER KIRK, AGUS STIÚRTHA AG ANDREW GREENE. [33]
RINNE OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS AN CEOLDRÁMA I MÍ AN MHEITHIMH 2010. BA É AN DEARTHÓIR ISAAC MIZRAHI A STIÚRAIGH AGUS A DHEAR AN LÉIRIÚ,
LE FOIREANN A RAIBH AMY IRVING, SIÂN PHILLIPS AGUS RON RAINES MAR RÉALTA ORTHU. [34] TÁ AN-TÓIR AR AN BPÍOSA FREISIN DO CHUIDEACHTAÍ
AMHARCLAINNE CEOIL AMAITÉARACHA AGUS CEOLDRÁMA ÉADROMA. IN 2017, RINNE MIC LÉINN ACADAMH RÍOGA NA HEALAÍNE DRÁMAÍOCHTA AN CEOL.
ANALÍS CEOL
CUIREANN AN SCÓR LE HAGHAIDH A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC DÚSHLÁIN FEIDHMÍOCHTA I LÁTHAIR NÍOS MINICE A FHEICTEAR I BPÍOSAÍ
OPERETTA NÓ CEOLDRÁMA ÉADROMA NÁ I NGNÁTH-GREANN CEOIL. TÁ AN-ÉILEAMH AR AN GCATH AMHRÁNAÍOCHTA; CÉ GO BHFUIL ÉILIMH
GHUTHA RÓL DESIREE SÁCH BEAG, TEASTAÍONN GUTHANNA LÁIDRE OILTE GO DLISTEANACH LE RAON MEASARTHA LEATHAN I BHFORMHÓR NA
RÓIL AMHRÁNAÍOCHTA EILE. LEATHNAÍONN ÚSÁID LIOBRÁLACH SONDHEIM AR FHRITHPHOINTE GO DTÍ NA CODANNA GUTHA, LENA N-
ÁIRÍTEAR BABHTA SAOR-STRUCHTÚRTHA (AN TRÍRÉAD "RÉAMH-MHEAS SUTHAIN") CHOMH MAITH LE HAMHRÁIN INA DTÉANN CARACHTAIR I
MBUN MONOLOGAÍ ISTIGH NÓ FIÚ IDIRPHLÉ FOLLASACH AG AN AM CÉANNA ("ANOIS / NÍOS DÉANAÍ / GO GAIRID", "DEIREADH SEACHTAINE SA
TÍR").
THUG CRITIC REX REED FAOI DEARA GO BHFUIL “SCÓR‘ NIGHT MUSIC ’... LE HAMHRÁIN PHÁTRÚNACHA, DUETS CONTRAPUNTAL AGUS
TRIALACHA, CEATHAIRÉAD, AGUS FIÚ CÚIGRÉAD DRÁMATÚIL DÚBAILTE LE PUZAL TRÍD. TÁ SEO GO LÉIR CURTHA LE CHÉILE GO TAIBHSEACH AG
JONATHAN TUNICK; TÁ GAN AON RANNÓG RITHIME, GAN ACH SREANGÁIN AGUS GAOTHA ADHMAID CHUN NA SÉISEANNA AGUS NA
HARMONIES A IOMPAR AR LEATAOBH.
LEATHNAÍONN CAIDREAMH SONDHEIM LE TRIÚR A CHUID LIRICÍ. EAGRAÍONN SÉ TRIALACHA LEIS NA HAMHRÁNAITHE SCARTHA, AGUS A
DUETS Á CHANADH LE CHÉILE, THART AR THRÍÚ DUINE. [40] DÉANTAR AN OBAIR MAR OPERETTA I GO LEOR CUIDEACHTAÍ CEOLDRÁMAÍOCHTA
GAIRMIÚLA. MAR SHAMPLA, CUIREADH LE STÓR CUIDEACHTA OPERA CHATHAIR NUA EABHRAC É I 1990
AN BLIAIN A CUIREADH CHUN STAÍTSE
• BROADWAY - OSCLAÍODH A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC AR BROADWAY IN AMHARCLANN SHUBERT AR 25 FEABHRA,
1973

• TABHIÚ ÁSTRÁIL - OSCLAÍODH AN CHÉAD LÉIRIÚ IDIRNÁISIÚNTA AG AMHARCLANN A SHOILSE I SYDNEY NA

HASTRÁILE I MÍ NA SAMHNA 1973

• TURAS MEIRICEÁ - CUIREADH TÚS LE TURAS NÁISIÚNTA DE CHUID NA SA AN 26 FEABHRA, 1974, IN AMHARCLANN
FORREST, PHILADELPHIA, AGUS CHRÍOCHNAIGH SÉ AR 13 FEABHRA, 1975, IN AMHARCLANN SHUBERT, BOSTON

• TABHIÚ WEST END - TAISPEÁNADH AN CHÉAD TAIBHIÚ CEOIL SAN WEST END IN AMHARCLANN ADELPHI AN 15
AIBREÁN, 1975
TEILGTHE AGUS CRIÚ
Aisteoirí agus a ról Criú
Glynis Johns Desiree Armfeldt Léiritheoir Harold Prince
Len Cariou Fredrik Egerman
Hermione Gingold Madame Armfeldt Cóiréagrafaíor Patricia Birch

Victoria Mallory Anne Egerman

Dearthóir Boris Aronson
Judith Kahan Fredrika Armfeldt
Mark Lambert Henrik Egerman
Laurence Guittard Carl-Magnus Malcolm
Patricia Elliott Charlotte Malcolm
George Lee Andrews Frid
D.Jamin Barlett Petra
TEACHTAIREACHT

GRÁ VS GNÉAS VS AM
Year Award Ceremony Category
DÚSANNA Nominee Result
Outstanding Book of a Musical Hugh Wheeler Won
Outstanding Music Won
Stephen Sondheim
Outstanding Lyrics Won
Drama Desk Award Glynis Johns Won
Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Patricia Elliott Nominated
Outstanding Director Harold Prince Won
Most Promising Performer D'Jamin Bartlett Won
Grammy Award Best Musical Show Album Won
Laurence Guittard Won
Theatre World Award Patricia Elliott Won
D'Jamin Bartlett Won
1973 Best Musical Won
Best Book of a Musical Hugh Wheeler Won
Best Original Score Stephen Sondheim Won
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Len Cariou Nominated
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Glynis Johns Won
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Laurence Guittard Nominated
Tony Award
Patricia Elliott Won
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Hermione Gingold Nominated
Best Costume Design Florence Klotz Won
Best Scenic Design Boris Aronson Nominated
Best Lighting Design Tharon Musser Nominated
Best Direction of a Musical Harold Prince Nominated
FREAGRA CRITICIÚIL
• IN HIS REVIEW OF THE ORIGINAL 1973 BROADWAY PRODUCTION, CLIVE BARNES IN THE NEW YORK TIMES CALLED THE MUSICAL "HEADY, CIVILIZED, SOPHISTICATED AND
ENCHANTING." HE NOTED THAT "THE REAL TRIUMPH BELONGS TO STEPHEN SONDHEIM...THE MUSIC IS A CELEBRATION OF 3/4 TIME, AN ORGY OF PLAINTIVELY MEMORABLE
WALTZES, ALL TALKING OF PAST LOVES AND LOST WORLDS...THERE IS A PEASANT TOUCH HERE." HE COMMENTED THAT THE LYRICS ARE "BREATHTAKING". [52]

• IN ITS REVIEW OF THE 1989 LONDON REVIVAL, THE REVIEWER FOR  THE GUARDIAN WROTE THAT THE "PRODUCTION ALSO STRIKES ME AS INFINITELY SUPERIOR TO HAROLD
PRINCE'S 1975 VERSION AT THE ADELPHI. MR JUDGE'S GREAT INNOVATION IS TO TRANSFORM THE LIEBESLIEDER SINGERS FROM THE EVENING-DRESSED, AFTER-DINNER LINE-
UP INTO 18TH CENTURY GHOSTS WEAVING IN AND OUT OF THE ACTION...BUT MR JUDGE'S OTHER GREAT REALISATION IS THAT, IN SONDHEIM, THE LYRICS ARE NOT AN
ADORNMENT TO A SONG BUT THEIR VERY ESSENCE: UNDERSTAND THEM AND THE SHOW WILL FLOW. THUS DOROTHY TUTIN AS DESIREE, THE TOURING THESP EVENTUALLY
REUNITED WITH HER QUONDAM LOVER, IS NOT THE MELTING ROMANTIC OF PREVIOUS PRODUCTIONS BUT A WORKING MOTHER WITH THE SHARPNESS OF A HAT-PIN." [53]

• THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE 1995 NATIONAL THEATRE REVIVAL PRAISED THE PRODUCTION, WRITING "FOR THREE HOURS OF GLORIOUSLY BARBED BLISS AND
BEWITCHMENT, SEAN MATHIAS'S PRODUCTION ESTABLISHES THE SHOW AS A MINOR MIRACLE OF ASTRINGENT WORLDLY WISDOM AND ONE THAT IS HAUNTED BY LESS
EARTHY INTIMATIONS." THE REVIEW WENT ON TO STATE THAT "THE HEART OF THE PRODUCTION, IN BOTH SENSES, IS JUDI DENCH'S SUPERB DESIREE ARMFELDT...HER HUSKY-
VOICED RENDERING OF "SEND IN THE CLOWNS" IS THE MOST MOVING I'VE EVER HEARD." [54]
FREAGRA CRITICIÚIL
• IN REVIEWING THE 2008 MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY PRODUCTION, THE TELEGRAPH REVIEWER WROTE THAT "SONDHEIM'S LYRICS ARE OFTEN SUPERBLY WITTY, HIS MUSIC HERE, MOSTLY IN HAUNTING WALTZ-
TIME, FAR MORE ACCESSIBLE THAN IS SOMETIMES THE CASE. THE SCORE POSITIVELY THROBS WITH LOVE, REGRET AND DESIRE." BUT OF THE SPECIFIC PRODUCTION, THE REVIEWER WENT ON TO NOTE: "BUT NUNN'S
PRODUCTION, ON ONE OF THOSE HERMETIC SETS LARGELY CONSISTING OF DOORS AND TARNISHED MIRRORS THAT HAVE BECOME SUCH A CLICHÉ IN RECENT YEARS, NEVER PENETRATES THE WORK'S SUBTLY EROTIC
HEART. AND AS IS OFTEN THE CASE WITH THIS DIRECTOR'S WORK, THE PACE IS SO SLOW AND THE MOOD SO REVERENT, THAT INITIAL ENCHANTMENT GIVES WAY TO BORED FIDGETING."[12]

• IN HIS NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW OF THE 2009 BROADWAY PRODUCTION, BEN BRANTLEY NOTED THAT "THE EXPRESSION THAT HOVERS OVER TREVOR NUNN'S REVIVAL...FEELS DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO A SMIRK...IT IS A
SMIRK SHROUDED IN SHADOWS. AN ELEGIAC DARKNESS INFUSES THIS PRODUCTION." THE PRODUCTION IS "SPARING ON FURNITURE AND HEAVY ON SHADOWS", WITH "A SCALED-DOWN ORCHESTRA AT
LUGUBRIOUSLY SLOWED-DOWN TEMPOS..." HE GOES ON TO WRITE THAT "THIS SOMBER, LESS-IS-MORE APPROACH COULD BE EFFECTIVE WERE THE ENSEMBLE PLUGGED INTO THE SAME RUEFUL SENSIBILITY. BUT
THERE IS ONLY ONE MOMENT IN THIS PRODUCTION WHEN ALL ITS ELEMENTS COHERE PERFECTLY. THAT MOMENT, HALFWAY THROUGH THE FIRST ACT, BELONGS TO MS. LANSBURY, WHO HAS HITHERTO BEEN PERFECTLY
ENTERTAINING, PLAYING MADAME ARMFELDT WITH THE OVERRIPE ARISTOCRATIC CONDESCENSION OF A LADY BRACKNELL. THEN COMES HER ONE SOLO, "LIAISONS", IN WHICH HER CHARACTER THINKS BACK ON THE
ART OF LOVE AS A PROFESSION IN A GILDED AGE, WHEN SEX 'WAS BUT A PLEASURABLE MEANS TO A MEASURABLE END.' HER FACE, WITH ITS GLAMOUR-GORGON MAKEUP, SOFTENS, AS MADAME ARMFELDT SEEMS TO
MELT INTO MEMORY ITSELF, AND THE WAN STAGE LIGHT BRIEFLY APPEARS TO BORROW RADIANCE FROM HER. IT'S A LOVELY EXAMPLE OF THE PAST REACHING OUT TO THE PRESENT..."[55]

• STEVEN SUSKIN, REVIEWING THE NEW BROADWAY CAST FOR VARIETY, WROTE "WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DIVA MAKES. BERNADETTE PETERS STEPS INTO THE SIX-MONTH-OLD REVIVAL OF A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC WITH A
TRANSFIXING PERFORMANCE, PLAYING IT AS IF SHE REALIZES HER CHARACTER'S ONSTAGE BILLING -- "THE ONE AND ONLY DESIREE ARMFELDT"—IS CLICHÉD HYPERBOLE. BY FIGURATIVELY ROLLING HER EYES AT THE
HYPE, PETERS GIVES US A RICH, WARM AND COMEDICALLY HUMAN DESIREE, WHICH REACHES FULL IMPACT WHEN SHE PIERCES THE FAÇADE WITH A NAKEDLY HONEST, TEARS-ON-CHEEK 'SEND IN THE CLOWNS.'"[56]