Review-West Side Story
February 11, 2009
Date Reviewed: 10th Feb, 2009
Venue: Theatre Royal, Newcastle
West Side Story is 50 years old and is recognised as the show that changed the face of musical theatre. Celebrating the fact is this 50th anniversary world tour, which while bringing the musical to a whole new audience as well as stirring the memories for many revisiting the show after many years, just fails to pull the punches needed for a show of this calibre.
With music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Arthur Laurents the ingredients of this show are first class. With the added bonus of being based on Romeo and Juliet, and an excellent film version still readily available this musical is one of the real big theatrical shows of our time.
The story revolves around Puerto Rican Maria and the all-American Tony. Defying cultural constraints along with the disapproval of friends and family they fall in love just as the violence between their divided communities reaches its melting point. The street gangs are vividly brought to life by the Jets and Sharks and the rape of Anita makes their rivalry all the more shocking and is uncomfortable to watch.
The score literally soars from one song to the next and the very large orchestra ensure every note counts yet never drowns out the singers. Almost all of the songs have become classics, at home as part of the show or familiar as standalone numbers, including I feel pretty, Maria, Somewhere, I want to be in America and Tonight.
Sofia Escobar is perfect as the sweet Maria who falls in love with the all American Tony played by Daniel Koek. While Koek singing is perfect for the role, he fails to convince as the reformed gang member who has fallen in love with Maria. On the other hand Jade Westaby is excellent as Anita and one of the highlights of the show is her singing with Escobar. The young cast of dancers and singers cannot be faulted.
The reason this show does not work as well as it should, lies with Set Designer Paul Gallis. His designs rely on the back wall of the set being used for large black and white projections of the cityscapes. Also stage hands are visible on several occasions carrying on and off scenery, all of which jars with the rest of the production and removes the wow factor this show can produce.
This version of West Side story fails to allow you to understand why the show has been the lasting hit and for the 50th Anniversary Production that is disappointing.
John Dixon
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