South Pacific

Synopsis

Set during World War II, South Pacific is the sweeping romantic story of two couples, threatened by the realities of war. Its portrayal of Americans stationed in an alien culture in wartime is as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences. Considered one of the finest musicals ever written, the score includes Some Enchanted Evening, I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.

Our Review:

13 December 2001

The National's commercial indulgence in tackling the shows of Rodgers and Hammerstein is now, perhaps inevitably, obeying the law of diminishing returns. Nicholas Hytner's revelatory 1992 staging of Carousel was undoubtedly a tough act to follow; but Trevor Nunn managed it with a safe but solid Oklahoma! in 1998 that, like Carousel before it, subsequently transferred to the West End and is now Broadway-bound, too. South Pacific, however, is unlikely to travel any further than the South Bank.

While the film version by which this show is perhaps best known these days was famously shot in oversaturated technicolor, Trevor Nunn's dutiful production drains its drama to a dull, documentary monochrome. The earnestness of the approach is signalled the moment the show begins, with black and white documentary footage of wartime manoeuvres projected against a circular scrim that is wrapped around the front of the stage. As it parts, the opening number 'Bloody Mary' is...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com - 27 April 2002:

As good as any musical I have seen in the capital and better than many over hyped so-called big productions. Judgement of audiance reaction is sufficient to endorse this well performed show....

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