A LITTLE Night Music takes place over a midsummer weekend in early 20th century northern Sweden, land of the midnight sun. Opera North and Leeds Playhouse’s vibrant co-production of Stephen Sondheim’s enchanting musical, is directed by James Brining who updates the action to the early 1950’s.

The show returns to Leeds Playhouse just seven months after the death of its lauded composer. There could be no more touching memorial to the genius of Sondheim than this bittersweet masterpiece which is written almost entirely in waltz-time.

Some of last year’s brilliant ensemble cast reprise their roles: Dutch baritone Quirijn de Lang returns as Frederik Egerman the lawyer whose reunion with an old flame, the actress Desiree Armfeldt, is the catalyst for a sultry weekend of romantic entanglements. Opera legend Dame Josephine Barstow reprises her portrayal of Madam Armfeldt whose sardonic wit permeates the show. Barstow’s performance of Liaisons is one of the unforgettable vocal highlights.

Sandra Piques Eddy is wonderfully poised as Desiree. Her rendition of Send in the Clowns made my eyes well up. Corinne Cowling is a delight as Egerman’s eighteen-year-old wife Anne, step-mom to his uptight seminary son Hendryk; a sensitively crafted portrayal from Sam Marston. Christoher Nairne is the combative dragoon officer Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm. Countess Charlotte, his long-suffering wife, is played by Helen Évora.

Set-piece ensembles such as A Weekend in the Country are choreographed by Lucy Hind with tremendous pizazz and every single voice is as clear as a bell. Jonathan Tunick’s beautiful orchestration for strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, piano and celeste gently shimmers in the hands of the Orchestra of Opera North, conducted by Oliver Rundell. The orchestra is placed behind Madeleine Boyd’s elegant staging. Chris Davey’s atmospheric lighting somehow bathes the production in a nostalgic golden aura that comes to an end all too soon. A Little Night Music runs until 16th July at Leeds Playhouse.