![News: Old Friends, an all-star gala, celebrates Sondheim at The Sondheim](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/OldFriends_Main.jpg)
Cameron Mackintosh has invited many of Stephen Sondheim’s old friends to join him in celebrating his extraordinary talents and legacy at the theatre which was recently gloriously rebuilt in Sondheim’s honour. The all-star cast for OLD FRIENDS so far includes Michael Ball, Petula Clark, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Bonnie Langford, Adrian Lester, Damian Lewis, Julia Mckenzie, Bernadette Peters, Elaine Paige, Clive Rowe, Imelda Staunton and Hannah Waddingham. They will be joined by a featured company of West End stars, currently being finalised.
The evening, which takes place for one night only on 3 May 2022 at 8pm, will be staged by Matthew Bourne and Maria Friedman with choreography by Stephen Mear and a 26-piece orchestra conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo.
Patrons can sign up for priority booking at sondheimoldfriends.com. Tickets will go on sale on 15 March to DMT Plus members at 11am, the Priority List at 12 noon with Public Booking opening at 1pm.
Cameron Mackintosh said: “It is impossible to overstate the influence and contribution Stephen Sondheim has made to Musical Theatre, both personally and professionally. 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. I was lucky enough to be Steve’s friend and occasional collaborator for over 45 years since I first produced Side By Side By Sondheim and the Wyndham’s Theatre in 1976. It was a friendship full of laughter, gossip and glorious insightful camaraderie.
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.”
All profits from the evening will go to the Stephen Sondheim Foundation, which the legendary composer and lyricist established under his Will to receive future income from his copyrights and intellectual property, with the proceeds to be used principally for the support of playwrights, composers, and lyricists in the early stages of their careers to assist in the development and advancement of their work, as well as for sustaining other aspects of the musical theatre craft and arts education.
![Featured image for “News: Cast Announced For The UK Tour Of Ghost The Musical ”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-1-1.jpg)
News: Cast Announced For The UK Tour Of Ghost The Musical
![Featured image for “News: Elaine Paige And Bernadette Peters Return To Host West End Woofs (And Meows)”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-3-2.jpg)
News: Elaine Paige And Bernadette Peters Return To Host West End Woofs (And Meows)
![Featured image for “News: Melissa Jacques And Sam Bailey Join The Cast Of NOW Thats What I Call A Musical”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-2-1.jpg)
News: Melissa Jacques And Sam Bailey Join The Cast Of NOW Thats What I Call A Musical
![Featured image for “News: The Cast Of The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button Perform ‘The Kraken’s Lullaby’”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Curious-Case-of-Benjamin-Button.jpg)
News: The Cast Of The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button Perform ‘The Kraken’s Lullaby’
News: Cast Announced For The UK Tour Of Ghost The Musical
![Featured image for “News: Cast Announced For The UK Tour Of Ghost The Musical ”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-1-1.jpg)
News: Elaine Paige And Bernadette Peters Return To Host West End Woofs (And Meows)
![Featured image for “News: Elaine Paige And Bernadette Peters Return To Host West End Woofs (And Meows)”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-3-2.jpg)
News: Melissa Jacques And Sam Bailey Join The Cast Of NOW Thats What I Call A Musical
![Featured image for “News: Melissa Jacques And Sam Bailey Join The Cast Of NOW Thats What I Call A Musical”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-2-1.jpg)
News: The Cast Of The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button Perform ‘The Kraken’s Lullaby’
![Featured image for “News: The Cast Of The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button Perform ‘The Kraken’s Lullaby’”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Curious-Case-of-Benjamin-Button.jpg)
News: World Premiere Production Of A Knight’s Tale The Musical
![Featured image for “News: World Premiere Production Of A Knight’s Tale The Musical”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-3-1.jpg)
Photo Flash: First Look At Images And New Artwork For Buyer & Cellar
![Featured image for “Photo Flash: First Look At Images And New Artwork For Buyer & Cellar”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-5.jpg)
News: Nikita Kuzmin To Tour His First Ever Solo Show
![Featured image for “News: Nikita Kuzmin To Tour His First Ever Solo Show”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-17-1.jpg)
News: Lead Cast Announced For The World Premiere Of New Musical Here & Now
![Featured image for “News: Lead Cast Announced For The World Premiere Of New Musical Here & Now”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-16-1.jpg)
News: Further Venues Announced For The UK & Ireland Tour Of Mary Poppins
![Featured image for “News: Further Venues Announced For The UK & Ireland Tour Of Mary Poppins”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-15-1.jpg)
News: Divina De Campo To Host The Stage Debut Awards 2024
![Featured image for “News: Divina De Campo To Host The Stage Debut Awards 2024”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-14-1.jpg)
News: Tanisha Spring And Laura Jane Matthewson Join West End Star Jamie Muscato In Concert
![Featured image for “News: Tanisha Spring And Laura Jane Matthewson Join West End Star Jamie Muscato In Concert”](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-13.jpg)
News: Sandi Toksvig & The QI Elves Present “One Night Only”
![Featured image for “News: Sandi Toksvig & The QI Elves Present “One Night Only””](https://thetheatrecafe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-12.jpg)