The Boy Friend

Synopsis

Set in the roaring 20s, Polly Browne is a wealthy girl with only one thing in mind: to find a boyfriend. Her fear is that she will be loved not for herself, but for her money. After several meetings and misunderstandings, and in typical musical form, she finally finds her true love. This famous period musical includes such well known numbers as Won't You Charleston With Me?, A Room In Bloomsbury, It's Never Too Late To Fall In Love and the unforgettable title song.

Our Review:

21 July 2006

There are few places in London more ideal for a summer night’s entertainment than the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park, and Ian Talbot’s tight, taut and affectionate revival of Sandy Wilson’s imperishable musical comedy is one of the finest productions in its history. This much was acknowledged at the first night, when Wilson, now aged 82 but looking dapper and fairly spry in a light brown suit and a jaunty boater, took to the stage at the curtain call and received a prolonged standing ovation.

Although The Boy Friend is itself a teasing parody of a certain kind of fluffy 1920s musical, it’s also a work of real charm and distinction in its own right. Talbot understands this and refuses to coarsen the proceedings, or send them up, or add any modernising elements, beyond the necessity of microphones which make half the cast look as though they are wearing cumbersome deaf aids.

Polly Browne, the poor little rich girl who’s keeping boyfriends at bay i...

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Latest User Review

62.6.139.13) - 8 September 2006:

Only 3 stars simply because the show is completely daft with repetitive songs and a ridiculous "plot". However, the cast attack it with enormous vitality and a sense of fun without resorting to 21st century irony. It's ideally suited to a summer afternoon at this venue and I cannot really see it transferring successfully to a traditional theatre. Those two 20-minute intervals would have to go as well....

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