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Petula's Moments in the Woods
A Journey Through Song, Stage, and Sondheim

She's never starred in a Sondheim musical. Yet Petula's relationship with the legendary composer-lyricist is one of quiet admiration, scattered performances, and a shared theatrical spirit that spans decades. From rare recordings to gala tributes, Petula's interpretations reveal a performer deeply attuned to emotional detail, lyrical richness, and the ache beneath the melody.

A Stage She Never Took, But Always Understood
In 1990, Petula was offered the role of The Witch in the West End production of Into the Woods. She declined, other commitments called, but the offer itself spoke volumes. Twelve years later, she was approached again, this time to play Sally in Follies at London's Royal Festival Hall. Again, she passed. Yet the roles lingered in the air, like invitations to a party she admired from afar.

Petula's affinity for Sondheim wasn't rooted in casting, it was personal. In a 2008 interview, she recalled working at New York's Music Box Theatre during Blood Brothers, gazing across the street at Passion. "I used to watch the audience coming out after the performance," she said. "I was so intrigued with this show. For me, my favourite song from Passion is called 'So Much Happiness.' I adore it!"

From Hollywood to Drury Lane: A Sondheim Setlist
Petula's first brush with Sondheim came in 1959, when she recorded "Mama's Talkin' Soft" from Gypsy, a song cut from the original Broadway production. Her version, arranged by Don Ralke, was recorded in Hollywood and released on her 1960 album Petula Clark in Hollywood. It's a charming, wistful take that hints at the theatricality she'd later embrace.

Over the years, Petula returned to Sondheim's work in television specials, concerts, and studio albums:

"Send in the Clowns" from A Little Night Music, performed on her 1974 BBC special The Sound of Petula, and again at the 1989 charity concert Being Alive at Drury Lane.

"Losing My Mind" from Follies became a staple of Petula's live repertoire between 1986 and 2009, and was later featured on her 1998 14-track studio album Here for You. She also performed the song in 1988 on ITV's The Des O’Connor Show.

"Last Midnight" from Into the Woods, recorded as a demo in 1989, with just piano and voice. It’s a haunting, stripped-down rendition that showcases Petula’s dramatic instincts.

In 1995, Petula performed "Send In The Clowns" from A Little Night Music paired with "Tonight" from West Side Story as part of a medley, which included other non-Sondheim selections, on the BBC television show The Generation Game, hosted by Jim Davidson.

"Not a Day Goes By," "I Never Do Anything Twice," and "Children Will Listen", all featured on her 1998 album Here for You, reflecting her deepening connection to Sondheim's introspective themes.

A Gala Tribute: One Night, One Stage, One Song
In 2022, Petula returned to the Sondheim spotlight for a singular, star-studded tribute. On 3 May, the Sondheim Theatre in London's West End hosted a one-night-only gala concert celebrating the composer's legacy. Staged by Matthew Bourne and Maria Friedman, and conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo with a 26-piece orchestra, the event brought together an extraordinary ensemble: Michael Ball, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Bonnie Langford, Damian Lewis, Julia McKenzie, Bernadette Peters, Clive Rowe, Imelda Staunton, and Petula.

Petula's contribution was a poignant rendition of "I'm Still Here" from Follies, a song she had previously performed at Lincoln Center in 2019. Delivered with seasoned defiance and grace, her performance underscored the resilience and reinvention that have defined both her career and Sondheim's enduring influence.

The concert sold out instantly, with a simultaneous live screening at the Prince Edward Theatre and a BBC Two broadcast on New Year's Eve. In 2023, it was honoured with the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Theatre Event. To the delight of fans, the performance was also released on CD and made available across major streaming platforms, ensuring the evening's magic could be relived far beyond the theatre walls.

The Legacy Lives On
Though she never headlined a Sondheim show, Petula's interpretations offer something rare: a glimpse into how one artist's work can resonate across styles, decades, and stages. Her renditions are not just performances, they're conversations. And in those moments, it's as if Sondheim himself is listening.

Questions? Drop us an email: info@petula-archives.co.uk