This classic, show-stopping musical
directed by Gordon Greenberg had the audience bouncing in their seats, ready to
join in. Considered one of the best musicals in history, this story of love,
gambling and games really did impress and was a great idea for a Saturday
night’s entertainment.
Carlos Acosta and Andrew Wright team
together to choreograph this all-singing-all-dancing production, providing the
inventive but jaw-dropping energized kicks, flips and turns to the music of
Frank Loesser, with musical direction by Gareth Valentine, which together
sparks and inspires all the interest in musicals like these.
You can’t forget the excellence of the
established, talented cast. The two female leads stood out for me; the comedic,
scatty Miss Adelaide (Sophie Thompson) and the uptight missionary Sarah Brown
(Clare Foster) were incredible apart but together created a beautifully
hilarious duo in Act Two. Nonetheless, the male leads (Peter Polycarpou as
Nathan Detroit and Jamie Parker as Sky Masterson) were at the top of their game
and the ensemble launched the show with their passion and expertise. The
aesthetical set full of fifties advertisements, and lights around them making a
city skyline, with the vibrancy of the costumes just finished off the
production and made the show come alive.
Highlights were ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking
the Boat’ sung by Nicely- Nicely Johnson (Harry Morrison) while the rest of the
cast backed up with mind-altering vocals and smashingly sharp movements
creating the most fantastic ensemble piece of the show. Within moments of the
song starting every audience member knew that this was the showstopper of the
production. The second highlights were the opening choreography and the
gambling scene in the sewers. With comedic elements the choreography shone
through, dazzling the audience with awe-inspiring movements. Both were another
great example of the work of incredible choreographers.
People say this didn’t live up to the
National Theatre’s 1996 revival but having never seen the show it exceeded my
expectations. The show did take a little while to get going, as I definitely
enjoyed the second act more than the first, but there are very few things I
could fault. Although a gamble for Chichester Festival Theatre to bring back
this big Broadway show, they pulled it off with the sophistication and style it
deserves.
Running until 21st September at
Chichester Festival Theatre.
Future plans to tour.
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