Company the Musical (music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth) is a show, originally produced in 1970, about Robert, a newly 35 year old man, who is constantly questioned about why he remains single. The musical takes us on a journey of self-discovery with Robert as he discovers the struggles of being tied down in a long-term relationship while also experiencing the loneliness of remaining single. This show is performed by the 3rd Year Music Theatre students from WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts). The character of Robert is double casted, played by Josh Condon and Cooper Williams, depending on which performance you attend. I had the privilege of watching the opening night performance with Cooper Williams portraying the leading role and got to experience his passion during the performance, especially through the musical numbers and dances.
Though the plot is fairly simple, the choreography by Bernie Bernard and the songs, written by the well-known Stephen Sondheim, certainly make up for it. My eyes were glued to the stage during the performance, especially throughout the musical numbers which captured the attention of all those seated in the theatre. From the minute the stage lights turned on, the audience began to laugh, lasting throughout the night, making for a great night out for those looking to keep their evening light hearted. The actors have wonderful comedic timing and the dialogue and monologues felt incredibly real and natural. The props of the show are handled effortlessly, as they moved on and off stage in the blink of an eye by the wonderful cast and the crew working behind the scenes. The musical numbers are powerful, and pull you in from the first lyric. I appreciated the physical comedy of the show, such as when the audience gets to watch a married couple battle it out through karate (a very standard practice in most marriages, so I’ve heard).
The curved stage is a unique set up and the simplicity of the set allows the audience to fully take in the performance. They have chosen to utilise a scrim in some scenes and all the sets and props were practical – not leaning into the modern technique of using screens to create backdrops. There is a live band off to the side, conducted by Craig Dalton. During the quieter moments of dialogue, sound effects such as rain and a busy Manhattan street fill the background to immerse us into the story. The hair and costumes reflect the 70’s era authentically and the costumes are vivid yellows, browns, and greens that fully immerse us in the era.
I highly recommend this show to anyone looking for a fun night out, especially to those young people who are preparing to pursue an education in the performing arts so you can see exactly the kind of performances that WAAPA can create.
Company is playing at State Theatre Centre of WA from 6 June to 11 June, 2026.
To book tickets to Company, please visit https://www.artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au/venues/state-theatre-centre-of-wa/whats-on/company.
Photographer: Stephen Heath
