Review - Let ‘em Eat Cake
Date Reviewed: 28th February, 2009
Venue: The Lowry
Musical sequels are relatively rare with only a handful springing to mind none of which attained even remotely similar success to the original show they followed. Sandy Wilson famously followed up The Boy Friend with Divorce Me, Darling and Charles Strouse gave Little Orphan Annie a second outing in Annie Warbucks. Musical theatre lovers are also soon to be introduced to a brand new musical sequel from the reigning master of the musical Andrew Lloyd Webber as he prepares to premiere Phantom: Love Never Dies. However, back in 1933 George and Ira Gershwin scored a huge success with the satirical political musical Of Thee I Sing and then followed it up with the darker but much less successful Let ‘Em Eat Cake, which picks up four years after its predecessor finishes.
John P. Wintergreen is now president of the USA and fighting an election campaign for a second term in office which fails spectacularly to John P. Tweedledee. Wintergreen ups the family to New York, along with his trusted aides and set up a shop selling nothing but blue shirts. What follows is a very complicated but clever tale of revolutions, dictatorships, shirts, baseball, guillotines and dresses!
It really is a jam packed story but one littered with highly topical references to presidential elections, economic crisis and the like, and these references support the justification of this production of such an old and largely forgotten musical. That’s not to say that it’s a musical that deserves to be forgotten. It’s a piece with enough merit to warrant an outing and Opera North would appear to be the perfect company to take on the challenge with their proven commitment to quality musical theatre running side by side with their commitment to quality opera.
A cast predominantly made up of opera singers is led very ably by William Dazeley as Wintergreen, a most resourceful and charismatic man played by a performer of equal charisma. He is very well supported by many other cast members including including Nicholas Sharratt, Richard Morris, Graham Howes, Rob Edwards and Martin Hyder as Wintergreen’s five aides, all of whom are intrinsically built into the plot. Rebecca Moon is disappointingly quiet and reserved as Wintergreen’s wife, Mary and her voice struggled to find the power to travel over the orchestra. In an excellent supporting role Jeni Bern excels as Trixie Flynn, playmate of the General of the Army. But it’s Steven Beard as Alexander Throttlebottom who steals the show in a hilarious turn as the overly camp and somewhat put upon vice president. His performance is sheer delight to behold and worth the admission price alone.
The chorus of Opera North admirably join in the fun and it’s clear they are all having a ball on stage.It’s just a minor shame that some of them really cannot act and look extremely awkward when attempting some of Caroline Pope’s choreography.That said, it should be remembered that they are an opera chorus and it’s in their chorus singing where they excel.
The Orchestra of Opera North under the direction of Wyn Davies play Gershwin’s fantastic score with gusto and it’s a real delight to see a musical production performed with a large cast and orchestra and no amplification!
Set Designer Tim Hopkins wisely opts for simple and effective in his pleasing set which director Caroline Gawn uses to full effect.She ensures the long show never sags or loses pace and keeps the audience interested right to the final curtain.
The theatre on the night I attended was far from full but that’s not a reflection on the quality of the production. This is an excellent staging of a superb musical which deserves a larger and more appreciative audience than it got in Salford.
-Malcolm Wallace