☆★★★★ Maria Friedman: From the Heart
Maria Friedman’s
cabaret, From the Heart, has grown from an intimate show at the Crazy Coqs with
an audience of 80 or so and arrives at Queen Elizabeth Hall with an audience of
over 900. That’s quite an exceptional growth trajectory. Whether this still counts
as cabaret is doubtful, and concert may be more appropriate? With a stage simply
set with a single spotlight focussed on a single stool, Maria Friedman strode
on stage and her captivating, joyous personality filled the room. And this was
an audience in her thrall.
With musical
director Theo Jamieson and a wonderful black grand piano, Friedman chatted
easily, telling stories and gossiping with some wonderfully indiscrete name drops. She
told the story of a party for Cameron Mackintosh where she sang Not Getting
Married from Company. And managed to go wrong. Stephen Sondheim was in the
audience and ended up with his head in his hands. Suffice to say, last night's rendition
was perfect!
From the
Heart celebrates some of the greatest songwriters of the West End and Broadway,
most of whom Friedman has known and worked with over her career - often identified by the
composers as the leading exponent of their work. Marvin Hamlisch even specified
in his will that she should perform songs at his memorial. Hence last night it
was special to hear Nothing and At The Ballet from A Chorus Line, both seldom performed.
Friedman is
an exemplar of Sondheim and last night we were treated to many of his greatest
works, in particular Losing My Mind from Follies and Send In The Clowns from A
Little Night Music. Quintessential, timeless Sondheim at its best! We were also
regaled with her Mrs Lovett from Sweeny Todd where Steve – not Sondheim - was
plucked from the audience and subjected to beer and a pie – vegetarian, vegan
assured!
Friedman’s
often eclectic repertoire included music by Joni Mitchell, The Beach Boys,
Leonard Bernstein, Comden and Green, and Alan and Marilyn Bergman.
Last night’s
concert was not without event. And to be quite honest, Friedman, by her own
admission, had some issues - particularly lighting and some stage management.
But she was a trooper and particularly made me smile as she took a sip of water
and sighed how much she was looking forward to a real drink at the end! One
could feel her frustration but her performance was, in spite of all this, a
celebration of some musical theatre classics by a unique, often sublime and
totally inspirational artist and talent. And let’s not forget the well-deserved
standing ovation too!
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