Gielgud Theatre
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The musical opens in Bobbie's apartment, where she sits alone on her 35th birthday. As all her married/ coupled up friends come to visit, crowding into her tiny room (each room is a moving box which is illuminated around the edges, designed by Elliott's frequent collaborator Bunny Christie) Bobbie begins to think about her life and single status. The musical proceeds to weave its way through numerous vignettes. Bobbie spends a bit of time with each of her married friends, who all shed a different light on married life. Each vignette is its own little comic gem.
The gender switching worked extremely well and seemed so perfect, adding numerous extra comic moments. Such as when (one half of a gay couple) exclaims that the fact he is getting married will lead people to "think I'm pregnant!". Additionally, the Andrews sisters style barber shop trio, traditionally sung by Bobby's (male) trio of casual girlfriends is instead sung by Bobbie's (female) boyfriends and is excellent!
The vignettes are wonderful and there isn't a weak link in sight! My two particular favourites were the ones with long-time married couple Sarah and Harry, and the scene which was on the morning of Jamie and Paul's wedding - Bobbie present as moral support for her best friend Jamie (originally Amy).
Mel Giedroyc is a fantastic Sarah, constantly trying to outdo her husband, from areas such as dieting to ju-jitsu competence. Gavin Spokes as Harry compliments her character well, and the two make an excellent comic duo.
The stand out performance was given by Jonathan Bailey as he sang at full pace 'Getting Married Today'. The song itself was staged brilliantly, with an unwelcome priest popping into the room through a fridge and under a wedding cake. It was Bailey's performance that really stood out as he worked himself up into a complete state with worrying over the wedding and how it would change his and his boyfriend's life. It was incredibly funny and it is worth going just to see that scene!
Mel Giedroyc is a fantastic Sarah, constantly trying to outdo her husband, from areas such as dieting to ju-jitsu competence. Gavin Spokes as Harry compliments her character well, and the two make an excellent comic duo.
The stand out performance was given by Jonathan Bailey as he sang at full pace 'Getting Married Today'. The song itself was staged brilliantly, with an unwelcome priest popping into the room through a fridge and under a wedding cake. It was Bailey's performance that really stood out as he worked himself up into a complete state with worrying over the wedding and how it would change his and his boyfriend's life. It was incredibly funny and it is worth going just to see that scene!
The band was on point and the music is truly fantastic. Even if you haven't hear the whole soundtrack before, you're likely to recognise a couple of songs. It is a work of genius by Sondheim, with a brilliantly funny script by Furth, and Marianne Elliott's visionary direction gives it such life. A fantastic musical and you don't have to be an adult/going through a mid-life crisis to enjoy it! Catch it before all the tickets sell out!!!
I sat in the cheapest tickets in the slips. Whilst admittedly it was a bit squishy and I got numb feet, and you might have a bit of backache at the end, you get an excellent view for £12.50.