The Plot: Julian Marsh is putting on a show and Peggy
Sawyer, who has just arrived from Allentown, gets a role in the chorus. When
the bitchy leading lady, Dorothy Brock, breaks an ankle, only Peggy can save
the show.
The Show: I was lucky to see the Broadway revival of this
show twice, first in 2001 and then in 2003. I loved it both times and I never
expected I would be seeing it again. But here I was, at London’s Drury Lane
watching “those dancing feet” and having once more the time of my life. Like
they say in the show, “think of musical comedy, the most glorious words in the
English language” and I couldn’t agree more!
Can I dare to say that this production
is even better than the one I saw on Broadway? I know this production shares
basically the same creative team, but somehow I felt that everything was perfect
here. Like I said back then, as someone who loves “the Busby Berkeley's movies
of the 30s, one thing I know, the creators of this musical not only caught the
spirit of those musicals but they also came up with a much better example of
those.”
Once again, I was completely
mesmerized while watching it! The imaginative sets, the colourful costumes, the
exciting orchestrations, everything works superbly on stage. Like I said before
“the book surprised me; it's funnier than I expected and wraps the whole action
with a perfect sense of timing. The direction by Mark Bramble is flawless and
then there's the exciting, wonderful, amazing, fabulous (you get my point)
choreography by Randy Skinner. He not only recreated some of Gower Champions'
work but also came up with new numbers. The result is fascinating and the
public went crazy with each number.”
Of course, nothing of this
would work if it wasn’t for the fantastic cast. As Peggy, Clare Halse is a
fabulous dancer and shares true chemistry with Norman Bowman, who plays a
passionate Julian Marsch. Sheena Easton was a big surprise as the bitchy and
funny Dorothy Brock; I didn’t know she had such a strong voice and a perfect
comic timing. As the leading dancer, Stuart Neal plays a goofy Billy and dances
like a storm. In the role of Maggie, Jasna Ivir is hilarious and as her
partner, Christopher Howell is also very funny. One last word for the
incredible girls and boys of the chorus. Without them this show wouldn't be
possible and they are simply amazing. Each one of them is a flawless dancer and
together they burn the stage with passion, rhythm and lovely smiles.
It’s difficult to choose a number,
but I have a soft place for “With Plenty of Money and You”, the simplicity of “Go
Into Your Dance” and the fantastic title number.
If you love musical comedy as
much as I do, this one is for you. It’s a feast for all senses and truly magical!
So “come and meet those dancing feet”, you won’t regret it! Don’t dare to miss
it!
Cast: Clare Halse, Sheena Easton, Norman Bowman, Stuart Neal, Jasna Ivir, Christopher Howell, Graeme Henderson, Emma Caffrey, Ella Martine, Clare Rickard, Bruce Montague
Creative Team: Music by Harry Warren • Lyrics by Al Dubin • Book by Michael Stewart & Mark Bramble • Choreography by Randy Skinner • Directed by Mark Bramble
My Rate: 10 (from 1 to 10) / Photos: Brinkhoff/Moegenburg and Tristram Kenton
Thanks for sharing! Hopefully this roduction will come to New York.
ReplyDeleteI love to share it and I hope you'll be able to see it!
ReplyDelete