42^nd STREET

Chichester Festival Theatre

023.06.10

“Get out your tap shoes, Francis ...”

42^nd Street comes to the open Chichester stage, in an glorious production full of tinsel, glitter and slightly camp pastiche.

Where tradition had a front tab curtain raised just enough to see those dancing feet, Paul Kerryson's brilliant opening saves their shoes till last, as the dancers rise from the floor on a giant trap.

Choreography was by Andrew Wright, who made those Berkeley/Broadway dance clichés come up new minted.

The well worn plot follows the progress of chorine Peggy Sawyer [Lauren Hall] from hoofer to leading lady, replacing the injured diva Brock [the excellent Kathryn Evans], whose fading charms are cruelly sent up in In The Shadows.

Back projection, a wall of mirrors, opening occasionally to reveal the outstanding orchestra, fronted by the dapper, balletic MD Julian Kelly.

Tim Flavin, a man whose career is synonymous with the best musical theatre, was the exacting director Julian Marsh, singing a great Lullaby of Broadway, and the writers of “Pretty Lady” - the Comden and Green of this parallel universe – were engagingly played by Louise Plowright and Christopher Howell.

But it's really all about the spats, the golden tap shoes and all that fancy footwork – exhausting and exhilarating to watch.

“Congratulations, kids, that was darn good ...”