Synopsis Stage musical of the film. Tony, a young Italian in Brooklyn exists solely to strut his stuff at the disco and impress the onlookers. But he falls for a girl, Gorney, who is very different and points the way to a fuller life. A show full of dance and song, highly reminiscent of its late-70's origin.
Based on the hit 1970s film, the stage incarnation of Saturday Night Fever has returned to the West End after a regional tour. The main problem with this musical is it's not sure where its niche is. It partly wants to be one of the compilation musicals and emulate the success of Mamma Mia! or We Will Rock You - here of course the band represented is the Bee Gees - and there are hits aplenty. But Nan Knighton's stage adaptation is faithful to the film's plot and this becomes problematic because of it's dark undercurrent.
Set in the Brooklyn underground dance scene of the 1970s where racism and violence were rife, the young Tony Manero is trying to find his way. The Brooklyn bridge comes to represent his prison and also his possible escape, so it is impossible not to be moved when one of his friends poignantly commits suicide by jumping off it. But in this musical any drama, symbolism or depth are lost.
Add to this the character of DJ Monty (here played by Shaun Williamson of Eastenders fame) in the silliest of costumes with panto-esque lines and the whole thing becomes rather confused and confusing.
That said there is some fun to be had. Director and Choreographer Arlene Phillips has created some exciting numbers which the cast attack energetically, although David Sheilds' costumes are not quite authentic enough for my taste - more seventies with a 21st century slant.
All the performers are good, but they are just that, performers - not actors. Their singing and dancing cannot be faulted but when scenes come where dialogue and interaction are required any drama or comedy goes awry.
This is also true of Stephane Anelli who really gives his all as Tony Manero, the part immortalized on screen by John Travolta - large shoes to fill. Again in terms of slickness of performance Anelli is impressive and has Travolta's arrogant air. Unfortunately he's missing the vulnerability and depth necessary to really make this character whole.
The other big name in the cast is ex-Hear'say band member Kym Marsh whose singing voice is lovely but in the part of the used and abused Annette again lacks the acting ability necessary to make it work.
If you can forget the movie, overlook the lack of drama and ignore that irritating person singing along behind you then you are a more patient person than me, and this might be the show for you.
I'm exactly the right generation to be inspired by SNF, and judging by the high proportion of cardigans and anoraks in the auditorium, the Saturday Night audience at the Apollo Victoria were also looking for a nostalgia fix.
But what should have been a camp "hommage" to the generation that invented Disco, was delivered as a student production. Management has downgraded the casting until even the principals seem just out of drama school (or, in one or two cases, failures from manufactured boy or girl bands), which leaves only the show as the star. And it isn't.
Muddy diction and hefty reverb on the microphones means that the dialogue is all but lost, and the non-dancing "action" seems to consist of springing boyishly downstage and then running to the backdrop as though beating a retreat. Wise, in some cases.
The leads - the nonentities playing Tony or Stephanie - are unlikeable and flat. Stephanie seemed to be wearing a wig made of white yak, and it was giving her trouble. She also looked about 35 under her hard makeup: and sang off-key almost all night. Tony had energy, but no technique, and no charisma: more Travis than Travolta.
Of the ensemble, only Alex Jessop stands out: even restraining his personal performance to blend with the rest of the ensemble, he's clearly more talented than the rest of them put together and the only one onstage who has timing, or vocal shading, or an engaging stage personality.
The unbalancing of the show by replacing cuddly and recognisable Shaun Williamson with a Jimi-Hendrix wasted-body drug-twitching Jimi Hendrix lookalike, as resident DJ in a club which is supposed to be racially prejudiced (they won't let the blacks or latins with the dance contests) indicates that all production values have been thrown in the bin, along with the rest of the performance which is visibly being downgraded for provincial touring.
The Bee Gees should be spinning in their graves. Unfortunately, not all of them are dead yet. ;-))
- 195.93.21.104)
29 Jan 06
I've seen Fever several times now and it never fails to amaze me, particularly Rachael Wooding as Annette. One word - flawless. The only thing was the lack of dancing that was she was allowed to do. Suzi Bastone has her good moments and her bad as Stephanie, although her comic timing is to perfection. Adam-Jon Fiorentino is fantastic as Tony, however his acting sometimes leaves a lot to desire. Maybe a bad night? The other star of the show, apart from Rachael Wooding, is Alex Jessop, who stuns the audience as the tormented Bobby C. He made me want to give him a big hug and completely shocked me suring "tragedy". Who would have known such a huge voice could come out of such a small person? All in all -one to watch! - 217.33.207.195)
08 Nov 05
i thougth that saturday night fever was excellent!!!! best show iv ever seen in liverpool. sean mulligan was sooooo HOT!! an shaun williamson was hilarious!! i have to rite a drama review on the performance and its gna get me an A* im telling ya!!! anyways the performance was brilliant and wen u cum bak dwn this way im definateley cumin to watch it again especially if Sean is in it!!!! lul XxX - 81.103.219.159)
04 Nov 05
MONG LAST NIGHT I WATCHED SNF in bahm the fisrt showing 4 us brums its was OUTSTANDANDING and SEAN MULLIGAN IS A GOD. HE IS ABSOLUTLEY GORGEOUS .SUCH A SEXY DUDE AND HIS BODY AHHH MAN U SHUDDA SEEN IT. aNYWAYS BESIDE THE SEXY SEAN MULLIGAN THE MUSICALITY GIRLS WERE GOOD AT THEIR SINGING ALONGSIDE WITH THEIR ACTING OVERALL IT WAS FAB AND IM OFF TO SEE IT AGEN THIS WEEK.
PS: ANYONE WHO KNOWS ABOUT SEAN MULLIGAN PLZ REPLY TO DIS THANKS ANGEL XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - 212.219.142.130)
27 Sep 05
great dancin 7 words sean mulligan fit and alex jessop fit - 195.93.21.101)
05 Sep 05
Having seen SNF with the original cast, inlcuding Adam Garcia, it quickly became one of my favourite West End shows. But in its new home at the Apollo Victoria it seems to be failing to attract the audiences it most definately deserves.
It is two hours of sheer bliss. The dancing blows your mind, the music is electric and the audiences love it.
Deserving particular praise is Rachael Wooding in the role of Annette. Her voice is stunning, she is clearly capable of more dancing than the role allows and her portrayal of the naive teen is at times extremely poignant. In contrast, Suzy Bastone seems weaker and slightly nervous about her West End debut as Staphanie, alongside the more experienced Wooding who outsings her in 'Nights on Broadway', but in time, it appears that this young actress will also shine.
The lead role of Tony is played by Shaun Mulligan with a lack of conviction, but one thing is for sure - that boy can dance, but he isn't the complete package of Garcia.
Altogether this is still one hell of a spectacle, and an utterly brilliant night out which is guaranteed to leave you wanting more.
Everyone must see it. - 81.129.237.194)
28 Aug 05
Being a huge fan of the show, I was very excited at the opportunity of seeing the show in it's new surroundings, formerly the London Palladium, now the Apollo Victoria.
As ever, the show just blows you away, the score is electric, the cast had energy and life and the choreography gave you goose bumps (Particularly the Latin dance scene in the competition!). You just want to get up and dance, and girls are found throughout the theatre, tapping their boyfriends leg in time!
My only reason for giving a 4, and not 5, out of 5 is, having been used to the original show at the Palladium, I missed the huge sets, a few scenes had been cut and a decision had been made to change one of Annette's most amazing original songs, "Who's Sorry Now?". It is always hard not to watch the show and almost spit at yourself as you hear yourself think 'but it's just not Adam.' (those of you familiar with Adam Garcia's original performance will know what I mean!). It's not a fair comparison to make as the role of Tony Manero is a feat in itself, and anyone taking it on should be commended, but he truely WAS Tony Manero and one of the best west end musical dancers and performers.
All in all though, an incredible show, and the DJ, Monty, will never fail to shine as he did last night....great character work and amazing Disco Duck!
If you haven't seen this show you MUST! It's West End Musicals at their best! - 83.104.147.138)
29 Jul 05
The epitome of a fun night out: colourful, exhilarating, slickly staged, and with genuinely stunning dancing. True, the dialogue's flat as a pancake (a cheesy one!) but there's considerably less of it than in the original Palladium version. In many ways (the beefing up of the role of the plain girl who loves the disco dancing hero, the cutting of certain numbers and the adding or enhancing of others, the shorter script) this version would suggest that Arlene Phillips and her collaborators have learned from the problems of the Pally show and this streamlined version plays better. The classic numbers are all here and are generally sung better than in some previous editions of the show. In the current cast, Sean Mulligan endows Tony with the requisite athleticism plus a good voice, and a kinder, gentler air than some of the his predecessors, although nobody will ever dance the role as beautifully as Adam Garcia did originally; I also missed the vulnerability this production's previous lead (Stephane Anelli) brought to the part. Still, Mulligan is more than capable of carrying a production of this size. Alex Jessop's nerdy best friend, Rachael Wooding's torch-carrying Annette, and Steven Serlin's outrageously randy DJ all leave strong impressions. For me though, the best turn comes from Suzy Bastone's Stephanie, Tony's gorgeous but common-as-muck dance partner. She looks stunning, is a great dancer and makes a thankless role into something funny and ultimately touching. All in all, this is a long way from being "art" but it's not trying to be. For a night of noisy, upbeat, escapist enjoyment though, you could do alot worse. - 195.82.123.181)
29 Jul 05
Went to see Saturday Night Fever last night and overall found it 2 be an enjoyable couple of hours- great seats in the stalls at a good price. the singing was great and the dancing... wow! sadly missed rebecca dent ( no explanation for her absence) but her understudy and all other cast members did a great job with the so-so story.
on another note the stalls were pretty much full but i dont think the balcony's were even in use- what a shame! if you are looking for a fun energetic lively show then saturday night fever is for you! - 84.67.229.192)
01 Jun 05
I have been to see saturday Night Fever 2 times now and found each time amazing. Kym Marsh is amazing as Annette and really shone passed all my expectations, Stephane what a great dance a little fast at times, but all in all a great dance and he can sing, even though he is not as good as Travolta, but who is. Zoe Ebsworth as Stephanie was ok yet the accent let her down at times. But for me Alex Jessop stole the show as Bobby C and to me really felt his character. Overall a great night out for singing and dancing the night away event though it has me crying at some pionts, definatly a good night out. - 195.93.21.102)
Built in 1930 as a cinema (New Victoria). 1524 seats+40 standing, (2574 seats but many lost to Starlight Express set). Society of London Theatre member.
Whatsonstage.com - Discount London theatre tickets, theatre news and reviews, Theatre videos, Theatre discussion, National Theatre Listings. Covering London's West End, all of Theatreland and all UK theatre. The best
for London Theatre Ticket Discounts.
