Broadway musical comedy Victor/Victoria, starring Anna Francolini in the twin title roles, runs at Southwark Playhouse until 15 December. Here, director
Thom Southerland gives us five good reasons to go along…
2.
The cast are absolutely magnificent. It’s a real treat to have such stunning performers bringing this beautiful musical to life in such close quarters. The talent on stage is some of the highest any London theatre can offer. Anna Francolini and Richard Dempsey are sublime as Victoria and Toddy. There’s very handsome support from the gorgeous Matthew Cutts as King Marchand and Kate Nelson as his vicious, dumb blonde girlfriend, Norma. Michael Cotton is so touching as bodyguard Squash and Mark Curry (remember him from Blue Peter?) is charming as club owner André Cassell. The ensemble dance up a storm right in front of you and play over 30 hilarious cameo performances between them.
3.
If you haven’t ever been to a musical in the Southwark Playhouse Vault before then Victor/Victoria is the perfect opportunity to visit. It is a wonderful example of when such work is done away from a conventional theatre space how the show is utterly transformed. We dispel the myth that the fringe only does small. With a band of eight and a cast of 15, this is a big show with a big heart that will hopefully leave you with a big smile!
4.
The music of the show is magnificent! It is Henry Mancini’s only stage musical and with a catalogue of work that spans from the film scores of Breakfast At Tiffanys and The Pink Panther to songs such as “Goldfinger” you know you are in for a quality evening of musical heaven.
5.
The ticket prices are so reasonable. With tickets as low as £10 we are incredible value for money for the production values on show. Of course, you can be a bit more decadent… £27.50 will buy you a seat at a cabaret table with a glass of bubbly thrown in!