I wasn't sure if I should see this or not as to be honest my only experience of the show was the 1985 film with Michael Douglas, which I wasn't that keen on. This show is a classic of the stage and can be credited with changing the world of Broadway and all musical theatre from the 'Hello Dolly' style into the style of musical theatre we know today. Due to the long history of this show, having started in 1975, and after a friend calling it a 'must see', I decided I would be stupid not to book a ticket.
The show is playing at The London Palladium which has a long and interesting history. Having been opened on Boxing Day 1910 it started life as a variety theatre. Its probably most famous for playing host to the TV show Sunday Night At The London Palladium, which ran from 1955 to 1967. In 1930 it hosted its first Royal Variety Performance and has so far played host to 36 of them, the most out of any other venue used for the performance. Its history in the theatre life of London is unsurpassed and its worth seeing the show, just to be part of the theatres magical history.
The opulent surroundings of the theatre were amazing, with vast amounts of gold on every wall. The auditorium has more seats than I imagined, though not all the seats were full. My seat, B37 in the Royal Circle, was lovely. Wonderfully comfortable though the back was a little hard. It also had more leg room than at any other production I've seen in a while. The only negative was that it was slightly to far to the side, although that wasn't really an issue for this production. A bonus was that I was sitting directly opposite The Royal Box, although sadly The Queen wasn't in attendance (or any member of royalty for that matter. lol)
The staff of the theatre were fantastic. They did like to talk to each other though rather than to people. saying that, they were however talking about various theatre productions all over the world. You could tell that everyone that worked there loved their job and loved the world of theatre.
The set was simpler than anything I have seen, or am likely to see in the future. In has been described in the past, and accurately I might add, as a black box. Totally black, with two chairs, a few bags, a white line across the stage and occasionally mirrors across the back wall. That's it. Like a stage before its been set before a production. This of course suits the show which, makes it brilliantly simple but affective. Its a gritty and real portrayal of theatre life, which is something not often shown. Although it is fantastic, part of me still wonders 'surely you don't have to go through all that just to be in the chorus'.
The fact that this 2 hour production has no interval goes totally unnoticed, as one is captivated by the superb acting, dancing and storytelling of the whole cast. Although the whole cast were fantastic, the audience defiantly fell in love with Harry Francis and Gary Wood as they both got louder applause than anyone else. I'm not surprized to be honest, as their performances were brilliant. Harry is also a hugely talented dancer and singer. I have to say, most of the cheers were from younger, and some older, woman. I was really excited to see John Partridge, as he is one of the best musical performers we have in the UK, but was disappointed. He was, as you would expect, brilliant in his role, but I felt in was wrong for him. It didn't show off the talent that I know he has. I mean just look at him as The Rum Tum Tugger in Cats.
Due to the important role its played in the history of musical theatre, the fantastic musical score and the brilliant cast, you MUST go to see this show. Tickets and Info
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