Oh my just feel the tap...
At Sadler’s Wells again for their stonking 42nd Street.
This Leicester Curve and Sadler’s Wells joint production of the 1980 musical (derived from the 1933 film) is small (only 15 dancers, would have been even better with thirty) but perfectly formed, with Nicole-Lily Baisden a very effective Peggy (the ingenue who becomes the star).
Afficionados of pre-war Hollywood musicals will recognise tunes in this which do not belong to its 1933 source (although also Dubin and Warren numbers), but it’s none the worse for that, although its ‘Lullaby of Broadway’ does a very different job here than in its Gold Diggers of 1935 original appearance.
The dancing (mainly tap – wonderful) is great, and in the second half reprise of ‘42nd Street’ manages the menace which tap can offer as a mood change from joyous excess.
The acting is uniformly strong and the sets and costumes are a true homage to its 1933 setting (with a limited budget!).
Overall it’s a great show, on a limited run (it's going to tour), but, surprisingly, there were seats available last night.
If you like ‘Hollywood' musicals (although this is quintessential Broadway) go.