Sondheim’s Marry Me a Little returns to the St James Studio starring Simon Bailey & Laura Pitt-Pulford

It has been announced that Stephen Sondheim’s Marry Me a Little will return to the St James Studio for a week of performances following its recent sold out run. 

West End stars Simon Bailey and Laura Pitt-Pulford will both reprise their acclaimed performances for the limited run between Monday 6th and Saturday 11th October 2014.

The story is told entirely through songs written early in Sondheim’s career or previously intended for his ground-breaking Broadway musicals including: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Company, Follies and A Little Night Music

The show pieces together a selection of songs by the undisputed master of the contemporary Broadway musical to tell a charming and bittersweet tale of love, loneliness and survival as a modern singleton. Marry Me a Little is described as a "funny, moving and sophisticated" musical as well as a "fascinating look at the songs that got away”.

Review: Marry Me A Little at the St James Studio

Marry Me A Little 
St James Studio
Reviewed on Friday 1st August 2014
★★★★

Made up of previously unheard Sondheim songs which didn't make it into some of his biggest musicals, Marry Me A Little is a stunning little show bursting with charm and depth. 

Completely sung through, cast members Simon Bailey and Laura Pitt-Pulford both give masterful performances. The show runs for just an hour, but I would have happily stayed and watched this formidable pair perform Sondheim's music all night.

Marry Me A Little is brought together by a subtle story of two strangers who are home alone on a Saturday night with hopes, dreams and desires. The show has such heart and flows smoothly from beginning to end. Developed by Craig Lucas and Norman Rene, I have absolutely no idea why this piece hasn't been seen in London for almost twenty years.

For some reason until two months ago I had never seen a show inside the St James Studio; now I can't stay away. It is the most elegant studio space I have ever visited and makes the perfect home for Hannah Chissick's sharp production with musical direction by David Randall.

Big Interview: Simon Bailey

Simon Bailey is currently starring in Stephen Sondheim’s Marry Me A Little which runs at the St James Studio for 16 performances only until Sunday 10th August 2014.

Simon was most recently seen starring as Liam O'Deary in I Can’t Sing (London Palladium). His West End credits also include: Romeo and Juliet The Musical (Piccadilly), Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (New London), Brit in We Will Rock You (Dominion) and Enjolras in the 21st Anniversary cast of Les Miserables (Queen’s).

As well as playing Lieutenant Torrasso/Count Ludovic in Passion (Donmar Warehouse) and Officer Starnes/Tom Watson in Parade (Southwark Playhouse), Simon is best known for starring as Raoul in the West End and brand new touring production of The Phantom of the Opera. He is a renowned singer/songwriter, realising his debut album Looking Up in December 2012.

I recently spoke to Simon about what first attracted him to Marry Me A Little, the beauty of Sondheim’s score, his varied career and future music plans…

What were your first thoughts when this production of Marry Me A Little popped up? Did you know anything about the show?

I was excited that it was this Sondheim production which hasn’t been seen in London for the best part of twenty years, but initially I didn’t know too much about it. I read up about it, the show is basically made up out of all the things which didn’t make it into other big shows and I thought that was a really exciting prospect. When I started to listen to the material, which didn’t make it into these other shows, I realised just how amazing these other shows are because the material is… incredible [laughs]! This music is so beautiful and I guess it is slightly shocking they didn’t make it into the original shows! But luckily for us they didn’t and we get to do them.

Sneak peek at... Simon Bailey & Laura Pitt-Pulford in Marry Me A Little

Ahead of tonight's press night, check out Marry Me A Little production images below (click picture to enlarge). The show runs at the St. James Studio for 16 performances only starring Simon Bailey as Man and Laura Pitt-Pulford as Woman.

Marry Me a Little was co-created by Craig Lucas, who met Sondheim whilst performing in the ensemble of the original Broadway production of Sweeney Todd. In discussions at rehearsals and parties, Sondheim mentioned to Lucas the large number of songs he had written that hadn’t been performed or published. 

Sondheim’s Marry Me A Little to be staged at the St James Studio

Stephen Sondheim’s Marry Me A Little will return to the London stage for the first time in 17 years in a brand new production at St James Studio.

The production will run for 16 performances between Tuesday 29th July and Sunday 10th August 2014, with press night set for Thursday 31st July.

Marry Me A Little pieces together a selection of songs by the undisputed master of the contemporary Broadway musical to tell a charming and bittersweet tale of love, loneliness and survival as a modern singleton. 

Two single strangers, left alone in their studio apartments on a Saturday night, pass their time with sweetly secret, unshared fantasies, never knowing that they’re just a floor away from each other and the end of their lonely dreams.