Ellen Cheshire

For 2025 I set myself a focused cultural project: to immerse myself in the work of Stephen Sondheim by watching his 40 favourite films (a list he drew up in 2003) , alongside related screenings, documentaries and a concerted effort to see his stage musicals I had never seen. What began as a structured viewing challenge gradually became a wide-ranging exploration of the ideas, forms and storytelling traditions that shaped Sondheim’s creative imagination. Working chronologicall

Continuing my journey through Stephen Sondheim’s top 40 films, numbers 31–40 offer another diverse batch of international cinema, from gripping political dramas to tense character studies and meditations on mortality. Alongside these, I watched bonus screenings celebrating Sondheim’s love of puzzles, performance and storytelling itself. 31/40: The Official Story (1985, Luis Puenzo, Argentina) In Buenos Aires during the final days of the military dictatorship, a history teach

Mandy Patinkin and Madonna in Dick Tracy Continuing my journey through Stephen Sondheim’s top 40 films, I have watched numbers 21–30,...

In my first blog post, 2025: A Year of Sondheim and Storytelling , I outlined my 2025 film and theatre project: a year dedicated to immersing myself in the world of Stephen Sondheim – both through his own work and through the films that shaped his artistic vision. As part of this journey, I’m watching all 40 of Sondheim’s favourite films in chronological order. Here are the first ten, spanning a mix of countries and cinematic traditions, each revealing something about the st

2024 has been a fabulous year of rediscovery for me, as I revisited everything I saw at the theatre and cinema in 1984 with my #OTD1984EllenSaw project. This nostalgic journey has not only revitalised my love for theatre but also reminded me why it holds such a special place in my heart. While I've always loved theatre, I’ll admit I had grown a little complacent - cinema is often easier and more affordable. But this year has reignited my passion for live performance and revi