In distinctive Sondheim style, Merrily We Roll Along is a deliciously wordy musical, rich with striking and entrancing lyrics. Music Theatre Society took on this cautionary story of friendship and change with gusto, beautifully constructing a show which leaves its audience with a bittersweet taste.

The musical begins with a glitzy party thrown by sell-out composer Frank -played with a swaggering confidence by Jake Pople- in which the 70s set pops just as much as the bubbly smiles of the tight ensemble. From here the story works backwards, from 1976 to 1959, each event in the characters’ lives peeling away layer by layer.

Music Theatre Society took on this cautionary story of friendship and change with gusto, beautifully constructing a show which leaves its audience with a bittersweet taste.

The unravelling of each character’s timeline was pulled off beautifully by the cast: from characters afflicted with life’s realities, they become young and invigorated idealists as their dreams and friendships piece back together. There is a warning here: one of how the pursuit of dreams can turn to expedience. This was clearly in mind in both Lily Melhuish and Lindsey Fransman’s direction, and in the delivery of the cast. The importance of this message is realised especially within a student audience; those who are young and looking to the future.

For the notorious difficulty of Sondheim’s melodies and lyrics, a fantastic job was done with the musical direction and performance. Charley’s ‘Franklin Shepherd Inc.’ was pulled off with humour and energy by Yang Chan, while ‘Not A Day Goes By’, sung by Mary (Anna Carley) and Beth (Mared Williams) brought a bittersweet electricity to the stage. There was sensitive characterisation from Carley especially. While the performance could have been a little tighter in places, the overall energy and emotion on display more than made up for this.

For the notorious difficulty of Sondheim’s melodies and lyrics, a fantastic job was done with the musical direction and performance

With its warnings of the danger of idealising success, the show ends perfectly. Its final song ‘Our Time’ ironically epitomises the wide-eyed hopefulness and possibility with which the characters begin their journey. Tingles were certainly sent down spines.

Chloe-Louise Saunders

Image courtesy of Luu Musical Theatre Society