Feeling like a ship without a sail but glad to be unhappy? Have you got five dollars? Come join the Jermyn Street Theatre’s Hollywood Party, where a classy feather-adorned set hosts a nostalgic musical journey into some of the finest musical theatre lyrics ever constructed. Echoing the theatre’s history as a thirties nightclub, Tim McArthur and a well-contrasting cast come together in toe-tapping and song to give us revue-style renditions from this legendary composer duo.
Stephen Ashfield stands out as most authentic for this specific period. Seemingly straight out of Brief Encounter, he performs effortless vocals of ballads and gracefully knocks his knees together in the dance routines. Katie Kerr shines with a southern drawl and plenty of comic pizzazz with her rendition of Way Out West, while Laura Armstrong is most suited to the dramatic repertoire. Though a striking presence, Valerie Cutko is sometimes rather too quiet and soft in her vocal approach.
The ensemble work is appealingly harmonised, though rather less choreographically in sync, while the ivories are beautifully tinkled by David Harvey. Tim McArthur’s enthusiasm is apparent, though ultimately more suited to directorial efforts than his own personal stage performance. A pleasant, inoffensive and competent production.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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