Pacific Overtures review – small Sondheim is beautifully done

Menier Chocolate Factory, London
Co-production with Osaka company brings 1976 study of American imperialism arriving in Japan to subtle, funny life

When Stephen Sondheim’s 1976 musical premiered on Broadway, it was staged in grand kabuki style. By contrast, this Umeda Arts Theater co-production, already mounted in Tokyo and Osaka, goes small – and beautiful.

Directed by Matthew White, the story of four 19th-century American warships that appear on the coast of Japan and open it up to westernising forces is performed straight through in under two hours. A snug traverse stage never looks tight, but is rammed with fast, funny theatricality.

At the Menier Chocolate Factory, London, until 24 February