Reader Reviews
Lady Be Good! (Open Air Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | I agree with the last reviewer what a superb production of a Broadway classic. I also hope it gets a transfer. Well done to all concerned and thank you God for the weather last night! - anon | 25 Aug 07 |
| I think one star below must be v/young? This was an absolutely stunning production of a hugely entertaining show by the Gershwins. Braodway musical theatre at it's finest and delivered with such precision that one could easily have been forgiven for thinking one had been transported to Broadway. I haven't seen such a crsip production in London for a long while. The director's swan song and a fitting tribute to all the wonderful work Ian Talbot has done over the years. Of course the story line is daft - this is musical theatre for christ sake - it's not Ibsen!, and of course as with most musical theatre the term "suspend disbelief" is never more apt. Last chance today to see it - mores the pity. I just hope, like the Boyfriend, it gets a transfer to the West End, it really does deserve to. - rds | 25 Aug 07 |
| Sorry to rain on this parade of enthusiasm, but I thought this show was dire. The witless foolishness of the script was so toe-curlingly slow with its dreary pantomimes and fatuous repetitions that I had to force myself back after the interval. The beautiful songs are so few and far between that they sit like diamonds in a mound of cold ash. The dancing we can assume is not of the standard provided by the Astaires, and the attempted comedy playing by the supporting cast was simply embarrassing. The staging was so ungenerous in providing any little moments of uplift or silly delight that I wondered why Talbot bothered putting it on at all. Why was the great George prepared to have his work ruined by these witless collaborators?Or were the talents of the original casts so extraordinary that they could overcome even a script like this? And why aren't there more songs!? I've heard that Adele Astaire was a brighter star than her brother; if she could make this show run a year the lady was more than good- she was a genius. Which perhaps she was. Miss ya, Delly. - Hypothermia | 08 Aug 07 |
| The OAT musicals are always a highlight of the summer - more fun, better quality and half the price of the West End. This year is no exception and provides a wonderful farewell to Ian Talbot, whose idea it was to bring musicals here. His great staging, Bill Deamer's terrific choreography and Paul Farnsworth's wonderfully clever set are complemented by a brilliant young cast whose enthusiasm is positively infectious. Some great tunes and sharp witty & corny lines and you've got the lot. Wonderful! - Gareth James | 08 Aug 07 |
| Went with the WOS group on 6th August. Great fun and terrific, exhilarating performances from all the cast and the orchestra. The story is delightfully silly; the jokes are atrocious, but the joy is infectious. The quality of singing and dancing was markedly better than recent musicals we've seen in the West End (particularly the disappointing 'On the Town'.)It's hard to select specific performers, as they all exuded such talent and energy, but Paul Grunert's masterful comic timing as the lawyer Watty Watkins made us giggle all the way home; Rachel Jerram's 'Little Jazz Bird' was simply beautiful and Norman Bowman's charm was redolent of a young Sinatra. Yes, the costumes and wigs were a bit tatty from Row B, but otherwise it was perfect, lighthearted evening, that had everyone leaving the park in high spirits (including the cyclist who passed us singing 'Fascinating Rhythm' at the top of his voice). - Jude | 07 Aug 07 |
| I liked the two leading ladies and the ("hobo")leading man. also the choreography was fun. ACT 2 SEEMED TO RUN OUT OF STEAM BUT THE CAST WAS GAME AND GAVE IT ALL THEY HAD. - Robert | 22 Jul 07 |
| Sorry, not trying to fix the star ratings but have just realised I put down the 19th and not the 20th July in my review. All the rest is true. - Jan D | 21 Jul 07 |
| On the morning of 19 July and with the rain pelting down we were convinced the show would not take place. However, on telephoning the box office we were told, as we really already knew, that shows are never cancelled before start time and that the Met Office had promised an improvement by the evening. How glad we were that we took the chance. The theatre was about 95 percent full which proves how intrepid we British are. It was a bit chilly but the rain stayed away. The cast seemed to appreciate the effort we had all made to get there and were excellent. I did not observe any straggly hemlines or poor wigs but, unlike the Whats on Stage reviewer, I cannot afford to sit in the front row! Every number was put over with great enthusiasm and and obvious enjoyment and the band was superb. It is impossible to pick out a particular star of the evening - they were all excellent. You do need to be there to appreciate the humour but humour there is. A witty, sophisticated and lovingly produced entertainment. Everyone was smiling when they left and it was good to hear so many young people raving about the music. We are going again. - Jan D | 21 Jul 07 |
