At last, the popular West End musical Top Hat has gone on tour. We've been looking forward to catching this one, as the multi Olivier award winning comedy musical received consistently warm reviews for it's two year run in London.
The show is based closely on the classic 1935 film by the same name, which featured fleet footed screen legends Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers at their iconic tap dancing finest. Set to Irving Berlin's fabulously glitzy big band score the show opens into 'Puttin on The Ritz' in a whirl of tap shoes, 30s fashions and twirling canes.
This is a lightweight romantic comedy which unfolds in some rather lush hotels, Broadway star Jerry Travers (played by Alan Burkitt) leaves New York for a stop in the West End only to fall for another American, glamourous fashionista Dale Tramont (Charlotte Gooch). After an initial Belgravia hotel encounter Jerry is smitten and works his witty charm to win over Dale, only for her to mistake Jerry for their mutual friend's husband. Slap stick and farcical capers ensue as they head for a weekend in Venice, with Jerry desperately trying to win Dale over, much to her love torn horror at this seemingly outrageous philandery.
Meanwhile, the real hen pecked husband Horace (Clive Hayward) Jerry’s wealthy producer, is copping all sorts of flak for his alleged antics, as his money grabbing wife starts to find out. There are also some great comic counterparts in the form of Horace's Jeeves and Wooster-esque manservant Bates the Butler (John Conroy) rustling up aloof comic clangers, as well as Dale’s outrageously greasy Italian fashion designer and benefactor Alberto Beddini (Sebastien Torkia).
While the farcical interludes are pleasantly engaging, it’s really all about for the stupendous big dance numbers, which feature dozens of superbly choreographed dancers enthusiastically whirling and tapping in a riot of satin rich period costumes (over 200!). Combined with some wonderfully opulent art deco hotel interiors on an inventive set backed by a big band orchestra and you have an electric mix, perfect for doing justice to classic tunes such as 'Dancing Cheek to Cheek', 'Top Hat, White Tie and Tails' and ‘There may be trouble ahead’.
It’s a great nostalgic take on the original. Alan Burkitt as Jerry does a fine turn at Fred Astaire, having been blessed with both the feet and the voice, while his love interest Dale is the perfect female foil in matching his moves and wit ‘I just did everything he did. But backwards. And in heels.’
Top Hat plays at Nottingham's Theatre Royal from Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 November 2014.
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