Tag Archives: Savoy Theatre

Gypsy, Savoy Theatre

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GYPSY by Sondheim

The current revival of Gypsy is a vehicle for Imelda Staunton’s enormous talent and stage presence. The production started its life in Chichester last summer, and transferred into the Savoy Theatre, marking the first West End revival since the UK premiere in 1973. After reading all the rave reviews, I felt compelled to see the production. My mum managed to buy surprisingly reasonable stalls seats for £26 and with my sister we went for a girly night out to the theatre.

I was amazed to discover that Staunton has performed in every single show since April, that is eight times a week… and she fully intends to not miss a show before the run is up later this year. The piece is a study of parenthood and we watch as Rose (Staunton) desperately tries to achieve stardom for her two performing daughters. The girls transform from smiling kids trying to impress their “momma” to angry and frustrated young women trapped in a world they care little for. Does her suffocating mothering nurture or nauseate them?

Rose’s sidekick and love interest Herbie, played by Peter Davidson, is a sympathetic and convincing partner. Long suffering and kind, he bears the brunt of the backlash as he tries to love and support Rose and her family. Lara Pulver is a quietly striking older sister, with an alluringly lilting voice. The younger, bolder sister June certainly rises to the challenge of playing a typical ‘child stage star’. But really, everyone is chorus for the ebullient Imelda Staunton, who dominates the show from start to finish.

I enjoyed the quaint quirks of Jonathan Kent’s production, especially the transient sequence where the children performers turn to adults within one dance. The music is by Jule Styne with lyrics by the brilliant Stephen Sondheim, and I loved the opportunity to hear this theatrical partnership. Imelda Staunton is so powerful and inspiring on stage that everyone will leave feeling empowered by this leading lady.

Gypsy continues until 18 July, book tickets here.

THOROUGHLY MODERN MAN: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Savoy Theatre

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Robert Lindsay’s performance at the Savoy Theatre had me googling him on my phone during the interval to check out his age. What I discovered made me even more impressed by his consummate performance as lovable trickster Lawrence Jameson in David Yazbek’s adaptation of the famous 1988 film, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Lindsay is both funny and suave opposite Rufus Hound’s more histrionic portrayal of rival conman Freddy Benson – the pair are in competition duping glamorous tourists on the French Riviera out of their spare cash. Katharine Kingsley as their principal prey charismatically sings and dances circles around the duo.

This stage show is infinitely more sophisticated and satisfying than the very dated film. The songs are catchy enough to be memorable although I’d never heard any of them before. The dance routines are sassy and dizzily complex. The dialogue and libretto are very witty and 21st century. The set design does wonders with the limited space and is very much in tune with the Savoy’s wonderful deco interior.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a proper musical, combining traditional razzamatazz with a contemporary sensibility and makes for a very entertaining night out.

Continues until 29 November 2014, buy tickets here.

Written by a Thoroughly Modern Man, Chris Kenny.

THOROUGHLY MODERN MAN: The Sunshine Boys, Savoy Theatre

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Well first I have to share a somewhat amusing anecdote about this theatre visit.  Miss Thoroughly Modern Milly promised me that this was a new musical starring Danny DeVito and Richard Griffiths.  Although somewhat sceptical of this assertion, I had high hopes for the evening.  None of these hopes were dashed in any way, but I did lean over to Milly about thirty minutes in and say “Are you sure this is a musical?  There’s no band and there haven’t been any songs…”  In case you need any further reassurance, it is in fact a play and not a musical!

Initial misconceptions aside, this was a night of roaring comedy from the get-go.  The plot centres around two aging actors who were once a formidable comedic duo of great renown.  For a number of reasons, Willy Clark (DeVito) and Al Lewis (Griffiths) could no longer stand to work with each other and the partnership was dissolved.  Is it a tad near the knuckle to ask what better actors to play aging stars enjoying a renaissance than DeVito and Griffiths?  I think not, as they deserve only praise for their hilarious scenes and priceless interactions.  The story builds towards a reprise of the protagonists’ success, as engineered by Willy Clark’s nephew, Ben Silverman, played by Adam Levy.  Levy wins best supporting actor in this production for me without a doubt.  In fact, it would be unfair not to place his performance on a par with that of the headliners.  Another excellent supporting performance came from Johnnie Fiori, who portrayed a somewhat stereotypical ‘Registered Nurse’ with wit and hysterical comic timing.

If there is anything to criticise, it is that the plot is almost solely one-dimensional.  However, this can be forgiven as the relentless comedy galvanises a fairly standard comic sketch to last (and not only to last but engage the audience) for a full two hours’ running time.  There never really was a dull moment.

What better excuse to catch DeVito and Griffiths enjoying a smash in the twilight stages of their career? I urge you not to miss out – book tickets here.

The Sunshine Boys Continues until 28 July.

Written by a Thoroughly Modern Man, Mark McCloskey.