There is nothing more magical than a night out at Regents Park Open Air Theatre. The fairy lights on the trees, the butterflies flying around, the birds that swoop overhead as the sun sets on the second act, these are the signs that summer has truly begun, and what a helluva start to the summer it was!
On The Town is about 3 sailors who are in New York for 24 hours. On the subway, Gabey (played by Danny Mac) sees a poster of Miss Turnstiles (Siena Kelly) and decides to spend his 24 hours tracking her down. As the three split up to try and find her, each ends up with their own gal. Ozzie (played by Samuel Edwards ) with anthropologist Claire (Miriam Teak-Lee) and Chip (hats off to Jacob Maynard who stepped in only last week for Fred Haig, and did a brilliant job of it!) with cabbie Hildy (Lizzy Connolly).
|
The atmosphere of the Big Apple was created exquisitely through the set and costumes by Peter McKintosh. The outfits of the New Yorkers were an explosion of colour, contrasting cleverly with the white of the sailors suits and, as the night progressed, the black of the sky. The set consisted of huge shipping containers, creating frames for dances to take place and providing magical lighting in the dream sequence. |
I have to say that the female characters are the strongest in this musical. They are, with the exception of Ivy, independent, strong-willed, powerful women who are very much in charge of their 24 hour relationships. Siena Kelly is charming as the light and fluffy, sweet and shy Ivy Smith. Miriam Teak-Lee is fantastic as Claire and is brilliantly funny in her song "Carried Away". However, Lizzy Connolly gives the standout performance as Hildy. She is absolutely hilarious throughout and had the audience roaring with laughter in her signature song "I Can Cook". It is so nice to see a strong woman who is so totally in charge of herself, as well as seemingly everyone else!
The men are also brilliant and Danny Mac delivers a spine-tingling rendition of Lonely Town in the first act. Naoko Mori and Maggie Steed as Lucy Schmeeler and Madame Dilly respectively were comic genius!
The men are also brilliant and Danny Mac delivers a spine-tingling rendition of Lonely Town in the first act. Naoko Mori and Maggie Steed as Lucy Schmeeler and Madame Dilly respectively were comic genius!
Drew McConie, director and choreographer, makes the centre of this musical dance. Perhaps the most memorable dance of the night is the Pas de Deux, between two men rather than the typical man and woman. As all the sailors leave with their women, one sailor is left to try and bottle down his emotions. The duet eventually takes place behind closed doors and is pure beauty.
The rest of the dance takes place to the sublime score which runs throughout the whole show. |
This revival of Leonard Bernstein's musical is dazzling. It is charming, feel good and hilarious all at the same time, and the fresh air provided (and the brownies at the interval!) make it a summer sensation!
All tickets are £25 for the under 18s and there isn't a bad seat in the house!