Gypsy

From her very first entrance Imelda Staunton nails this. It’s a great show, a thunderingly good overture, beautifully crafted Sondheim lyrics and period pastiche tunes by Jule Styne matched with big, big numbers. The cast are, to a person, quite extraordinary and how great to see that choreographer Stephen Mear is on top form with intelligent dance numbers that really do fit, both the period and the story whilst at the same time pushing the company and looking bright and fresh. Kevin Whately is charming as Herbie and has a pretty decent voice too and Lara Pulver goes from tom boy to stripper with an easy grace. Dan Burton makes a fine Tulsa, light-footed and rich in voice, perfect in the role and three cheers for Louise Gold, Anita Louise Combe and Julie Legrand who kick ass in their big ‘Gimmick’ number.  Every single juvenile on that stage deserves a mention but my word can  Georgia Pemberton sing and dance with high kicks that brought tears to the eyes and squeals to match. There’s so much to like about this show and director Jonathan Kent has recognized that by giving it to us straight, no messing, no silly concepts but pure Broadway Gold out of West Sussex.

Finally to Imelda Staunton, an actor who more than delivers Rose, she is Rose, pushy, selfish, deluded and not just a little crazy – it was a given that she could pull all that off, and after Sweeney Todd we knew she could sing too, but how she sings Gyspsy is show-stoppingly brilliant – this star is born, born and born over and over again.

Chichester Festival Theatre, 14 October 2014

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