West Side Story @ Sallis Benny Theatre

In 1957, four ambitious young men sitting around a piano in the heart of New York city, came up with a piece of musical theatre that was to become as famous and well loved an American export around the world as Coca Cola and the hot dog.

For a young cast today, it is still the show everyone wants to be a part of, and Brighton’s own City Youth Theatre Company’s slick, professional production neatly balanced the twin emotions of desperation and hope at the show’s core. Both the Jets and the Sharks managed to convey disillusionment with the American Dream. The central performances from Martha Perrin as Maria and Luke Newton as Tony, on whose doomed love affair the plot hinges, were simple and moving. Bernstein’s magnificently eclectic score was skilfully mastered by the 12 piece pit orchestra. A triumph!

Sallis Benney Theatre, 15 March
5/5
Paul Clark