Company | State Theatre Centre of WA | ★ ★ ★ ★
It was a pleasure to have my first experience with Stephen Sondheim’s Tony-award winning 1970 musical Company, presented by an outstandingly talented group of WAAPA 3rd year Musical Theatre students.
I am a fan of Sondheim’s work, though I wouldn’t say au fait with this full back catalogue. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed productions of Sweeney Todd and Assassins, I even had a turn as the Steward in Into The Woods back in high school – a strictly non-singing role.
Viewing this show as a single 30-something in 2026, it was remarkable how strongly this narrative holds up more than five decades since its creation. Company follows Robert, Bobby, Bobby Baby – he has a few nicknames – as he marks his 35th year.
His fun-loving, tight-knit group of couple friends surprise him on his birthday, a catalyst for exploration of their individual lives in orbit of their magnetic single friend. Bobby finds himself pressured to couple up, while his chums struggle to admit their romantic relationships have their own trials and tribulations.
For this opening night show, Cooper Williams took on the role of Robert, alternating with fellow actor Josh Condon throughout the run. Williams was a suitably charming Bobby, bringing an ease and charisma to the role that grounded the eclectic ensemble cast around him.
The couples are telegraphed by matching colours in their outfits, a clever costume choice, and each has their own stand-out personality brought to life by these talented young actors that makes for an engaging and dynamic show throughout its two hour and thirty minute run.
As with most Sondheim creations, Company is loaded with songs you’d likely recognise even without having seen the show. Getting Married Today and The Ladies Who Lunch are both distinctive earworms for their unexpected melodies and bold lyrics.
It is unreasonable to compare these young actors with icons like Julie Andrews, Patti Lu Pone and Elaine Stritch, but Company is a difficult show to do, and the bar is incredibly high!
Kushinka Jayewardene did a fantastic job with the incredibly fast-paced Getting Married Today, but even the most seasoned would struggle to hit every syllable. Isabelle Rath too, did a noble job of the brassy bossa nova ballad The Ladies Who Lunch, but it’s a lofty challenge to embody a middle-aged lush in your 20s.
It’s the titular tune though, that was playing on repeat in my head in the following hours and days – a testament to the immense talent of the cast, the band and of course – Sondheim.
This class of 3rd year students certainly impressed with this production, and it’s exciting to see young talent challenge themselves with formidable theatrical works, rather than the usual popular fare. These rising stars are ones to watch!
Company runs until Thursday 11 June. For more, head to WAAPA.ecu.edu.au
Images: Stephen Heath
Declaration: OUTinPerth co-owner Graeme Watson is an employee of Edith Cowan University.
