Despite Assassins being written by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman over 30 years ago this remains one of Sondheim’s most relevant works. The show portrays historical figures all of whom have something in common- they tried to kill a President. Assassins looks at the individuals from a variety of angles, from the real people, the failure of the American Dream and how much we understand their motives.

Dan Edge is the director of Sedos’ production and his concept was brilliantly considered. Edge moved the show from its traditional carnival type setting to a Political convention. The ensemble become all American Cheerleaders and our the Balladeer and Proprietor becomes the convention hosts. The Assassins themselves are stood in front of podiums with their names lit up. Sometimes with a strong concept that differs from the original setting it can feel like some of the numbers or moments are shoehorned in but not so in this case. Each moment is played out perfectly in this new setting and whilst I will keep this spoiler free the ending is the icing on the cake.

The set design also enhanced the concept. The floor of the Bridewell was adorned in red, white and blue along with a huge projection onto a foil curtain that reads ‘Americon Take Your Shot 2025.’ The imagery perfectly conjured up the political convention aesthetic and Trump rallies that we have seen played out in our living rooms in recent years. Theatrically the levels that the assassins podiums were placed on helped ensure that each of them were easy to see and created interesting visuals throughout the show, a great combination of the visuals looking great and working well for the show. .

The show also relies on each of the assassins being easily identifiable and distinguishable from the other and they certainty were, with not a weak link amongst them. John Wilkes Booth was played by Rourke Puksand and as the the assassin who sets out to manipulate others into following in his footsteps he plays the role brilliantly. Equally Jake Dufton as Leon Czolgosz impressed with his rich vocal quality and his impassioned pleas about his working conditions. Sam Sugarman as Charles Guiteau also brough a huge amount of energy and charisma whenever he had a moment in the spotlight.

Jessica Dawes and Claire Brewin take on the roles of Sara Jane Moore and Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme and their interactions were some of the highlights of the show for me. They managed to find moments of comedy in a piece with such a serious subject matter and deliver it with real character.

Whilst I could wax lyrical about each of the assassins it is actually some of the moments that they were each observing the main action that I adored the most, their reaction to Zangara’s stomach ache or to John Hinckley Jr’s unrequited love really helped drive home the difference in their characters and often in other productions these opportunities are missed as they don’t always remains on stage throughout.

Our convention hosts are Anna Buckmaster and Chris Daniel Cahill who felt as if they had stepped straight of an American Talk show, with smiles plastered over their faces, even at the darkest moments. They were the glue that held the show together and ensured that Edge’s carefully thought out concept worked.

Musical Director Matt Gould had done a great job of ensuring tight harmonies and spot on timing from the cast, which is not to be downplayed in a Sondheim show. The chorographer Emma Bowker focused the dance around the convention ensemble and the majority of this was performed by the convention cheerleaders. I adored the use of the idea of cheerleaders at the convention, leaning further into American tropes and some of the cheerleading lifts performed were impressive to watch, especially on the Bridewell stage. My only minor criticism is that sometimes in the dance numbers the performers needed to really sell it movement wise as much as they were selling it on their face as it risks looking marked when compared with how hyped up the rest of the show was.

I am a big fan of shows being reinvented in new and relevant ways for a modern audience and Sedos has given us an exemplary display of how it should be done. I would normally urge you to check it out but Sedos’ have rightly earned themselves a sell out run!

Assassins is on at the Bridewell Theatre until 27th September. You can find out more here.

If you like this review you might also like my review of The Crucible, Hedda Gabler and Hairspray, all by Sedos.