I was so happy when I found out this show is on at the Vaudeville Theatre as, in my opinion, it is THE best theatre in London. It can hold a good amount of people (690) though it feels amazingly intimate. I've never had a bad seat whenever I've been and I would have no issues recommending it to people. So ....... go see a show at The Vaudeville Theatre. The seats are nice and comfortable. Not the best in London I'll admit, but good. The only real issue I have is that the theatre doesn't accept card payments, only cash. This is a little behind the times, but there is a cash point right next to the entrance. The staff are always wonderful and the verity of shows the theatre has had is as diverse as the people that go to see them. I've been wanting to see this show for a while, so when I found tickets I just had to get them.
The basic storyline of the show is, well, non-existent. This is a show that basically makes fun of every other show on Broadway (or in the case of the show I went to see, the West End). Yes they make fun of the music and/or the storylines and/or the characters, but one is able to see that it is done with the utmost respect and love for the shows. I know this might seem like a contradiction, but it's true. Is basically a comedic love letter to Broadway. The only issue with this, is that you need at least a little understanding of the shows in the West End, or Broadway, to be able to understand some of the jokes. Don't get me wrong though, it is a funny night out even if you aren't as familiar with the shows. It isn't just the shows that get picked on. Its the people associated with musical theatre as well, from Cameron Mackintosh and Stephen Sondheim to Liza Minnelli and Bernadette Peters.
The set (if you can call it that) is wonderful, although a little basic. I would say it looks a little like the stage dressings you would find in a cabaret bar, not that I've ever been to one. The costumes are also on the simple side. For example when they are in the Lion King portion of the show the elephant costume consists of a grey tube and three grey towels. This simplicity is part of the sows farm though.
There are only four performers, plus the pianist, and all are brilliant. On the performance I went to the understudy Laura Tebbutt was performing the part usually played by Christina Bianco. Calling her an understudy though I feel us an insult to her talent. She should definitely be more than an understudy. Herb singing voice is superb and she seems right at home on stage and more than confident with comedy. I would have said she should have a art in Phantom If The Opera, but I feel that shows current shody production quality would be an insult to her outstanding talent. I'm sure Christina I'm sure is wonderful, but I'm so happy she wasn't, or I wouldn't have had the joy of seeing Laura. Anna-Jane Casey was brilliant as well. Not just in her singing but in her complete performance. She has been in many productions and her professionalism shows (even if at one point she couldn't help laughing). I've never had the joy of seeing her perform live before, though I have seen her on television as part of the BBC Prom celebrating the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein in 2010 where she was a principal soloist. She has had many serious roles, but she is just MADE for comedy. The two men in the show, Damian Humbley and Ben Lewis, are also fantastic. For me though Damian gave me many more laughs. At one point he even got the rest of the cast laughing, though as in other shows I've seen I feel that maybe even this apparent break of character's was a staged part of the show. Guess id need to see it more than once to know.
Such a good night out that will be fun for any theatre goer. A bit of fun that the whole family will love. I hope, like on Broadway, this becomes a staple on the West End stage. You need to hurry though as its ending on November 22nd. Tickets and Info
Such a good night out that will be fun for any theatre goer. A bit of fun that the whole family will love. I hope, like on Broadway, this becomes a staple on the West End stage. You need to hurry though as its ending on November 22nd. Tickets and Info
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