Broadway Royalty Bernadette Peters returned to the London concert stage for the first time in 18 years at the Royal Festival Hall on Friday..

Critic Mark Shenton wrote, “The New York legend lives up to her exalted status,” in his four-star review in The Stage.

Considered one of the most critically acclaimed Broadway performers, Bernadette debuted on the New York stage at the age of ten. She is regarded as the foremost interpreter of the works of Stephen Sondheim, a collaborations which began 32 years ago when she played Dot in the original production of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE.

Nominated for seven Tony awards, winning two and nine Drama Desk Awards, winning three, Bernadette has also appeared in 33 films and TV movies. My first memory of her was the 1976 role as the voluptuous nightclub sensation Vilma Kaplan in Mel Brook’s SILENT MOVIE for which she was nominated for her first of three Golden Globe nominations, winning for PENNIES FROM HEAVEN in 1981. She has also garnered three Emmy Award noms.

I drew this montage sketch of Bernadette which she signed for me at the Festival Hall.