Synopsis The Champagne Musical includes songs such as "Let's Do It", "Who Wants to be a Millionaire", "In the Still of the Night" etc. The show is set in the fashionable High Society world of Philadelphia, Tracy Samantha Lord is engaged to be married to the dependable George Kitteredge. However her wedding plans are disrupted by the arrival of her ex-husband C K Dexter Haven and two reporters from the tabloid press, who are keen to publish scandalous stories about Tracy's father and his affair with an 'exotic dancer' ! The wedding does eventually go ahead - but who does Tracy marry?!
In an autumn notably absent of the opening of any major musical productions, the sole new entry is the rather belated arrival of a stage version of the 1956 Cole Porter movie musical High Society that was first seen at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park two years ago.
Ian Talbot's production moves indoors to the Shaftesbury Theatre in an almost entirely re-cast staging (only Claire Redcliffe as the irritating younger daughter survives), in the first West End transfer from the Park in the 78 years the Open Air Theatre has been operating. But whether it's a good advertisement for the usually reliable summer entertainments that are presented there is not entirely clear.
Its cause is not helped by the stunt casting of Jerry Hall, who turns a knowing, forgiving eye on her husband's infidelities and cries to a prying journalist, "Is there no such thing as privacy?" How resonant such situations and phrases must be to a woman who has lived her life in the public eye, having to forgive and forget the public philandering of her former rock star husband Mick Jagger. But here she's the rather unconvincing matriarch of the Lord family, moving too rigidly around the stage and providing a feeble excuse for singing that is nearly as risible as that heard from Simon Callow in The Woman in White - though mercifully less frequent.
As a clothes horse from her more accustomed fashion model role, Hall wears Paul Farnsworth's costumes with undoubted elegance. But hers is a subsidiary role, not at all justifying her top billing. The plot in fact revolves around her willowy daughter Tracy (the sometimes shrill Katherine Kingsley, not helped by an echo that the sound designer insists on putting behind her voice), a society princess whose first marriage to CK Dexter (Graham Bickley) was ruined by his drinking. Tracy is about to get hitched again - if she herself doesn't drink a way out of it.
As the impending nuptials are prepared, a duo from Spy magazine (Paul Robinson, who dances better than his cabaret crooner singing, and Ria Jones, who sings better than she acts), arrive to do a photo feature on how the upper class live - and sing “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” in a typically savvy Porter list song that provides all the reasons why it would be so appealing.
The handsomely designed production retains some of the outdoor summer high spirits in Gillian Gregory's choreography. But it's shocking to notice that it offers double the number of onstage chorus members as band members in the pit.
a number of "poors" and amongst that the set and the curious lack of adventure. The costumes were also over-done even accepting the cast generally were meant to represent wealthy Americans.
However, whilst tracy Lord is always a big acting ask, the star of the show for me was Katherine Kingsley. If she does not go on to critical acying aclaim elsewhere I will be very surprised - and if she chooses to launch that vocal talent on the wider market place there is a star in the making for sure. - 88.105.11.73)
01 Jan 06
I did not expect too much from Jerry Hall (appearing when I saw the show a couple of nights after the opening) and I was not disappointed! To have 'sold' the show on her name must have been bordering on a breach of the trades description act! Katherine Kingsley not bad but her voice I thought a bit 'brassy'. Think I will stick to watching the film! - 195.93.21.101)
06 Nov 05
THE SHOW WAS REALLY FAB LAST NIGHT WITH NO JERRY HALL, WORTH GOING TO SEE NOW!!!! - 194.216.254.81)
02 Nov 05
JERRY HALL IS NOT APPEARING
The theatre seemed very 'discreet' about Ms. Hall not playing Mother Lord at the moment - I didn't see a notice in the foyer, or hear an announcement, but the understudy was very good and possibly gave better balance to the show without a "star" in the rather second-string role of Mother Lord.
I really enjoyed this Ian Talbot production at the Open Air Theatre and now it's come inside for the winter it seems to have lost only a little of its brilliance, but the better acoustic gives freer rein to the clever orchestrations and some more subtle characterisation and musical phrasing than Regent's Park allows.
Katherine Kingsley sings elegantly and gives a good central performance as Tracy, but she lacks Annetta McLaughlin's magnetism, or her natural gift for comedy.
Graham Bickley is becoming a tad chunky for a lean mean leading man, but I love the timbre of his voice as he's matured and it's a genuine pleasure to hear him sing the Cole Porter melodies so effortlessly.
A couple of the characterisations tend towards the cartoon dimensions of the Open Air production, but it's impossible not to love Claire Redcliff as the Pippi Longstocking-ish sister Dinah.
Disappointments would have to include Ria Jones as Liz Imbrey. Liz is my favourite character in High Society and needs someone who can give attitude like Katharine Hepburn. Ms Jones sings strongly if a bit mechanically, but she doesn't have the presence to pull off this part ... when she's being chased through the shrubbery I was reminded more of Esme Cannon, the funny little old lady from the Carry On films, than of La Hepburn.
Some of the ensemble have travelled from the Open Air production, and I thought the dancing had improved with some very good movers - check out the slimmer of the two red-haired boys, he's one to watch for the future.
- 195.93.21.101)
27 Oct 05
The show's settled down a lot since some of the earlier comments. Really quite good now! - 81.19.57.154)
19 Oct 05
The classic movie musical on stage with all the great Cole Porter songs - had to work didnt it? Well no, this was one of those rare times where theatre became boring. There is nothing worse than that feeling of fidgeting in your seat, glancing at your watch, waiting to go home and this was one of those times. How could this not work. Its flat and plods along. The set never changes, which isnt always a bad thing, but in this case it is - also why are they always outside, surely one set should be inside the house - the answer to this being its from the outdoors theatre at Regent Park, where it would have worked. I really dont like moaning about shows, but this was a dull evening at the theatre, despite the great score. Just watch the movie - its far superior and cheaper! - 81.131.17.180)
16 Oct 05
excellent show - 194.216.254.81)
13 Oct 05
Well did you evah … Jerry Hall not even the second lead got top billing and her photo is 16 times bigger than the rest of the cast! What is going on? Hey Mr producer do you think Ms Hall shuffling around the stage will fill the theatre? I don't think so. This is not “The Graduate” - no nude scene. Having said that, Ms Hall did a reasonable job but the way the advertisement builds her up, I think it was a wrong decision.
Coming back to the fantastic cast, Graham Bickley's voice was pure as gold especially when he sang True Love. I just hope one day he will be in a hit show that is really tailored to his talents. Katherine Kingsley was a total surprise; fantastic voice, great figure. Ria Jones was a sensation. In her rendition of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”, the arrangement was so unique; starting slow and then building to a great finish. Maybe credit should also go to the arranger, Steven Edis. Paul Robinson's singing and acting have grown so much since “Singing in the Rain”. I can see a potential leading man in the very near future. Wonderul set design by Paul Farsworth, lovely lighting by Jason Taylor and the best sound I’ve heard for ages. Most of all, great direction by Ian Talbot.
If this musical didn't get full marks it's only because of the original Broadway Production itself. Some how the songs didn't flow very smoothly with the story. The whole time you are thinking about which Cole Porter song they could use in this particular scene.
from an honest Chinese audience point of view - www.londonupdate.co.uk
- 86.129.180.51)
12 Oct 05
Terrible - I wish I'd left during the interval! A poor adaptation of a great show, definately not West End standard. Cheap sets, wooden performances and I think previous reviewers have said it all about Jerry Hall's performance! Save your money and see somrthing else. - 194.200.241.36)
12 Oct 05
Dull, boring, disappointing - what more can I say? - 80.45.110.73)
The first theatre to open in Shaftesbury Avenue on 20 Oct 1888. The original theatre was destroyed by bombs in 1941. A second theatre opened 26 Dec 1911 (originally the Prince's), badly damaged in 1940/41. Changed name to Shaftesbury in 1963. Housed the famous Hair performances in 1968. 1404 seats. Member of the Society of London Theatre.
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