Theatre and Dance Reviews

Last week I reviewed a perfectly acceptable performance of "High Society" at the Wycombe Swan. This production of "42nd Street" highlighted why the former was only acceptable because this was absolutely brilliant.

"42nd Street" was unusually a film first in 1933 and not turned into a stage show until much later. Set in 1933, the year of the film, the show tells the story of a new musical set against the backdrop of recession and prohibition. The action moves between rehearsal rooms backstage to the rousing finale of the show itself and succeeds in recreating the wonderful escapism offered by the Broadway musical.

In fact the set delights throughout and never stops the action despite the mirror,  a Philadelphia railway station and the obligatory flight of stairs all of which appear with an element of surprise.

42nd Street

As I said earlier, the dance numbers are out of this world. One simple routine sums it up. The male dancers carry their tap shoes onto the stage. The put them on and tie their bow ties in complete synchronicity. It sounds easy until you realise that it is absolutely meticulous and rehearsed to perfection. There's the Paradox in "42nd Street" : the musical the cast are producing only just makes it on stage with Peggy Sawyer a reluctant standby whilst the show we are watching is as slick a piece of musical theatre as you'll ever see.

The show stars musical veteran Dave Willetts who has replaced Paul Nicholas as impressario Julian Marsh. He doesn't really get too much of a chance to use his vocal talents because most of the songs are invariably ensemble numbers. But what songs they are. "Lullaby of Broadway" , "I only Have Eyes for You ", "Keep Young and Beautiful", "Dames " - they just keep coming.

There are some good individual performances. Jessica Punch delights as rookie understudy Peggy Sawyer combining a raw brilliance with over enthusiastic ineptitude. I was also very impressed with young Ashley Nottingham in his dramatic part as Billy Lawlor.

I realised that during the second half I had a beaming smile on my face. This production does what the original film did: it provides a wonderful evening of pure escapism.

 It's the best musical show I've ever seen. Don't miss it.