A true testament to the enduring spirit of the stage, this dazzling revival of 42nd Street is a must see!
It feels fitting that as I approach my first year as a semi-regular, semi-amateur theatre reviewer I found myself at the Empire Theatre watching the West End revival of 42nd Street. As a student who studies History I am ashamed to admit that my classic Broadway theatre knowledge is somewhat poor. However, this did not impair my enjoyment of this production, more so it inspired several long conversations and minutes of frantic tapping through Wikipedia on the journey home. After watching this show I feel like my classical show-business education has been tapped and twirled into shape.
This revival has held closely to the original and whilst this does mean that several rather ‘dated’ lines remain, the decisions made by Jonathan Church play off as this performance seems authentic and light-hearted. The plot remains simple, a country girl thrown into a theatre production last-minute; her talent pushing her to centre stage, complete with a triumphant redemption arc for all involved. Nicole-lily Baisden shines in this role, with a perfect nasal twang which teleported me to the roaring 20’s.
The theatre company Peggy joins contains all the best parts of showbiz with a temperamental leading lady (Samantha Womack), a demanding director (Michael Praed) and a fantastic lead tenor (Sam Lips). At no point did I notice that the understudy (Kevin Brewis) had stepped up for the role of Bert Barry. Sadly this performance missed some star power with the absence of Les Dennis in the role of Bert, but as all showpeople know, the show must go on!
Before we waltz any further into this review I must draw your attention to the choreography of this show created originally by Gower Champion, this revival has gained the associate choreographer Kylie Cruikshanks. Those who have seen 42nd Street before, I speak only to remind you of the glory that is the tap sequences, and to those who haven’t I can only say keep your hands free at all times; they’ll be needed to pick up your jaw from the well-worn carpet. I can confidently say this modern revival retains its award winning choreography! The set design is a love letter to the art-deco style and transports the audience to a world of opulence and luxury. The costumes are a visual feast, capturing the essence of the era’s fashion with ease and accuracy.
In summary, this revival of 42nd Street continues the legacy of a quintessential backstage musical. A true celebration of the behind-the-scenes drama and excitement of putting on a Broadway show, and a must watch when it tours to a theatre near you.