Salad Days

Synopsis

In a sunny, happy, optimistic and often absurd 1954, Timothy and Jane graduate from University. Under pressure from their parents they have to find a job and a husband, respectively. Timothy's family send him off to meet a series of influential and increasingly eccentric uncles, while Jane's mother lines up a series of eligible but dull potential husbands. A chance meeting with a tramp brings the couple together as his street piano - named Minnie - gives everyone an irresistible and unstoppable urge to dance. The tramp gives Timothy the job of looking after the piano for a month. Once the month is over and after all kinds of wonderful adventures - including a ride in a flying saucer - Minnie the piano is passed on to a new couple and Timothy and Jane's families are reconciled.

Our Review:

23 December 2012

Salad Days is one of those musicals that shouldn't work on paper, but really does in practice. A pleasingly bonkers romp through a tale of a magical piano that makes those who hear it dance uncontrollably, complete with aliens, dodgy nightclub singers and overbearing mothers, this production, returning to Riverside Studios, is a laugh and a half that you won't forget in a hurry.

Set in traverse and with direct (if extremely gentle) audience interaction taking place from the start, this is a remarkably open and friendly production, chock-full of brilliant songs, including the seriously catchy "Oh Look At Me, I’m Dancing" and the nicely poignant "The Time Of My Life". Quinny Sacks' choreography is sharp and spirited and if there are moments when things flag a touch, there are plenty of terrible jokes and funny lines to counteract this. "What sort of steps were you using?" asks PC Boot’s boss, to which the confused policema...

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Latest User Review

Sam Ellicott - 2 March 2013:

Wonderful show!...

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