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The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of South Australia

Merrily We Roll Along - On Sale Now

Merrily We Roll Along - On Sale Now

Three people smiling in front of a red background, with one person in a striped shirt and another in a suit and tie.

Merrily We Roll Along

Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Merrily We Roll Along presents a poignant portrait of three friends whose creative ambitions and personal choices intertwine and diverge over twenty years.

Told in reverse chronological order, the show opens in 1976 with Franklin Shepard at the height of his fame as a composer and film producer. He is wealthy and well-connected, yet estranged from his childhood collaborators: lyricist Mary Flynn and close friend and librettist Charley Kringas.

As the narrative moves backwards through key moments—from 1970’s creative conflicts to the enthusiastic promise of their 1963 collaborations—the veneer of triumph gives way to regret and betrayal.

Sondheim’s sophisticated score features songs such as “Old Friends,” “Not a Day Goes By” and the stirring title number, highlighting themes of loyalty, loss and the passage of time.

Merrily We Roll Along is a moving exploration of ambition, compromise and the enduring power of friendship, inviting audiences to reflect on how our choices shape our lives and relationships. This timeless work combines wit, heartfelt emotion and Sondheim’s lyrical mastery, making it a beloved modern classic.

Director: Matt Smith
Music Director: Matthew Rumley
Choreographer: Lucy Newman
Production Manager: Alicia McCluskey

When: Thursday 22 May 2025 - Saturday 31 May 2025
Where: The Arts Theatre 53, Angas Street, Adelaide

Photo by Lily Rose Media

Three people standing outdoors on a rooftop with urban buildings in the background, smiling and holding hands; one wearing a striped robe, others in coats.
Three people wearing robes stand outdoors, linking pinkies and smiling at each other, with high-rise buildings in the background.
Three people smiling, with a red textured background. The person in the middle has their arms around the others.
Group of six smiling women, wearing colorful clothing, against a red background.
Three people smiling and interacting in front of a red curtain. One person points towards another while they all appear to be laughing, creating a friendly and joyful atmosphere.
A man and a woman smiling at each other in front of a red background, with the man wearing a light blue shirt and the woman in a floral dress.
Three people smiling and holding hands against a red textured background.
Three people posing in front of a red background, two adults seated and a child standing behind them. The adult on the left wears a blue plaid jacket and tie, and the adult on the right wears a green floral dress. The child is wearing a dark collared
Three people laughing and interacting in front of a red textured background.
Three people posing playfully in front of a red curtain, displaying humorous expressions. One person in a blue suit and tie has hands raised, another is wearing a striped shirt, and the third in a striped blouse is making a peace sign.
A man wearing a striped suit and hat sitting next to a woman in a colorful floral dress, both smiling against a red textured background.
Three people posing in front of a red curtain. A man in a blue suit looks surprised, a woman in a purple shirt stands behind with arms outstretched, smiling, and another man in a striped shirt smiles with arms crossed.
A couple gazing lovingly at each other. The man, wearing glasses and a striped vest, is gently holding the shoulders of a woman in a red floral patterned outfit. They are against a red textured background.
Two people smiling with colorful shirts against a red background.