Bernadette Peters, Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton, Petula Clark in Sondheim's Old Friends Concert

An all-star cast came together Tuesday, May 3 in London’s West End for a thrilling, joyous celebration of the extraordinary talents and legacy of composer & lyricist Stephen Sondheim at the theatre which was gloriously rebuilt and renamed in his honor.
Produced by longtime Sondheim friend and collaborator, Cameron Mackintosh, SONDHEIM’S OLD FRIENDS gala concert sold out immediately, and demand was so great that the evening was simultaneously live screened at the Prince Edward Theatre. All proceeds from the evening benefitted the launch of the Sondheim Foundation.
Here's footage of the starry cast, including Bernadette Peters, Petula Clark, and more.

[@mattbosley3531]

Every time I see Bernadette I find it impossible to believe her age. And Petula is looking amazing for almost 90! I hope I look half as good.

[@sweeney60]

Oh my god there are multiple witches, multiple Mrs. Lovetts and multiple Mama Roses on that stage, just to name a few! What a beautiful sight to see.

[@KorAnos1]

Cameron Mackintosh hinted to the Guardian that there are discussions to be had about letting the public see it. As well they should!

[@simonmoss6516]

Thanks for sharing this. I was there, and spoke to one of the cameramen afterwards. He assured me that the footage was going to be edited for "a future use other than just the live screening", but he didn't know details. Presumably he works for the company hired to do the filming, so is probably right. Let's hope. It was the night of nights!

[@alisonbrown2614]

Oh, what can I say? Thank you for posting this. I was at the live screening in a theatre down the road but such was the standard of filming, I forgot I wasn't really there. What a wealth of talent. I thought the theatre would burst with it. A big thank you to all who took part for free (money went to the Sondheim Foundation) and the great Cameron Macintosh for putting it all together. It was definitely one of the best experiences I've had at the theatre and I've been to a LOT!

[@stephenacs]

So thrilling too see such famous actors of the West End, film and Broadway. Fabulous..

[@springstud]

wish angla landbry was their

[@dean9235]

Was there watching this concert. It was wonderful.

[@avondoll7796]

Tx CDC

[@happyexpat3744]

How wonderful! How thrilled I believe Mr. Sondheim would be to have yet another theatre named for him...and to see all these artists he''s worked with come together in a celebratory way to remember him! I really pray they will allow us to see it. I'd even pay to see it.....! No questions asked! Thank you so very much for posting it!

[@davidbargery1302]

My, how I wish I'd been there. Just wonderful !

[@williamlockhartnelson8873]

Itll be back on in london for a couple of months in sepbember.

[@abbie387]

This is going to be broadcast on BBC Two on New Year's Eve and then available on iPlayer, for anyone still wanting to see it.

[@davidwilliams1208]

Superb entertainment on BBC2 tonight. Now on iplayer for those who missed it.

[@theogoldberg8919]

GLORIOUS , INTERGENERATIONAL, SHEER JOY

[@rleutz13]

wow! so many legends and newcomers paying tribute to a great man! I'm both smiling a large grin and shedding a few tears. BRAVO!!!!

[@Waggers789]

I was incredible lucky to be there in the audience. It was a very a special and emotional night.

[@richiejohnson]

What wonderful songs he left for us! Miss you, Steve

[@patrickjctownsend]

Likewise I was “down the road” at the live screening. It was excellent. So many great numbers but Imelda Staunton singing “Coming Up Roses” was the absolute highlight. It ranked with Ethel Merman.

[@michaelritchie2968]

This song, my god. And they all look like they truly are old friends, too - a lot of them will be. Look for Imelda and Michael clearly being in love with each other, and EVERYONE'S reverence for Julia McKenzie

[@williamlockhartnelson8873]

I xant wait for this to come back! I burst into tears watching this.

[@dylansmith1833]

Still waiting for the full show to be released!

[@camnsprencheria3225]

Oh geez this made me so emotional! Thank you so much for posting. LOVE IT!

[@ericholck3914]

Bernadette Peters and Petula Clark are aging at about 1/10 the rate the rest of us are.

[@goldfinch102]

Good dermatology treatments

[@zyxw2024]

@@BonnieJ1955 Ten years behind Betty White. That's a decade.

[@zyxw2024]

Eric, some folks remain youthful appearing throughout their lives. Including myself at nearly age 70. Strangers learning my age thinking I was age 50 something or age 60. My point is there're those of us who are not your "us".

[@ericholck3914]

@@zyxw2024 Sorry if you were bothered by my comment, and congrats on your youthful appearance. My point wasn't to offend anyone, or suggest that a lot of "us" don't look good for our ages. I was merely acknowledging that Bernadette and Petula are aging very, very gracefully. Cheers.

[@ericholck3914]

@@BonnieJ1955 This thread reminds me of a line from Downton Abbey: "Cousin Isabel is very literal."

[@suzannebenz8928]

Love watching and hearing Michael Ball!

[@user-cj4dq8tz1c]

we know you do. reading your comments on anything to do with Michael Ball makes my day but sometimes you scare me. some of your comments stray near the stalker line. are you an adult or a demented teenager.

[@victoriasaper1625]

How can we see the whole concert. I love Stephen Sondheim musicals, even the ones the critics panned.

[@davidwilliams1208]

On BBC2 on New Years Eve 2022. See it on iplayer

[@papapiers1588]

Ohh I can’t sing for toffee but I just want to get up there and try…wonderful stuff!!

[@jeanettedevereux7664]

Genius marvelous..... pure magic

[@geraldineclarke5434]

I would have done anything to have been at that concert. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't give thanks for Sondheim....

[@bigmouth33]

I hope someone posts the whole concert.

[@evelynedwards2567]

No superlative is good enough to describe this event - every performance was as good as any other - Although Judi Dench in particular had me in tears with her excellence - Thank Goodness I was there.

[@simonbampton5513]

Wow! Why wasn't I there? what a line up! 🙂

[@alisonblackwell988]

Hope it gets shown on tv

[@kenmogul23]

How can I stream/watch whole performance?

[@christinelivesey9077]

Plus Judi Dench, Julian Ovenden, Julia McKenzie and, many more

[@Mandeley100]

Looks fab! Does it mean that we Sondheim lovers not in London may get a chance to see the show?

[@eirikastokes9652]

It was definitely filmed, that we know for sure. I'd be shocked if it isn't made available

[@rosies14]

I certainly hope so. I am crossing fingers that the filming was for a possible streaming/video future and not just for live screening at other theatre. No on second thoughts Cameron is not about to let that opportunity slip through his fingers so yes I think there will be.

[@jeffersonparis7767]

OMG! Is the full concert available? Absolutely love it!

[@williamgardiner2010]

It will be broadcast into cinemas at a later date I believe once rights are cleared.

[@williamfairchild7439]

@@williamgardiner2010 Actually the concert was shown on TV on BBC Two on Saturday 31st December 2022

[@kaifeuerstein5527]

0:47 I didn't know that Winston from New Girl can sing!! ;)

[@losvengadores73]

somebody upload the whole concert

[@theogoldberg8919]

#theatermania Darling who is the conductor bowing in the end ? Thanks so much

[@paules3437]

One should quote Ethel Merman ( I think she said this about Mary Martin): "Sondheim's all right, if you like talent."

[@nickmorrell3559]

Never seen more luvies in one place at once .if the ceiling caved in the West end would die overnight

[@MissPerriwinkle]

omg b peters looks so different

[@forworkpurposesonly1]

Where can I watch the whole thing?!

[@williamgardiner2010]

It will be available in due course once rights are cleared with Equity and the BMU. But you’ll need to pay - and so you should - for a DVD or streaming access towards the new Sondheim Foundation.

[@NutTwins]

HELENAAAA

[@brianeduardo1234]

The hierarchy in the company very obvious

[@margaritaperla]

bernie!!

[@farisraza1902]

what is the song they are singing?

[@davidmark6433]

"Being Alive" from "Company"

[@davidmark6433]

Then "Old Friends" from "Merrily We Roll Along"

[@davidfriscic3009]

Way too many comments about looks here and everywhere on posts. Talk about talent and not appearance.

[@leedsman5881]

What a bunch of luvvies

[@akrenwinkle]

1:50 I love watching white people trying to find the beat and clap in time. And I'm white!

[@eurouc]

Did Petula Clark actually sing anything? She appeared somewhat bewildered.

[@jonldn]

She sang an amazing "Im Still Here". and commanded the stage as many did on the night!

[@theinfamoushobbitch]

ok????