The Pajama Game

Chichester once again shows how well, with one reservation, it can stage a classic musical. The company, a fine ensemble, led by a set of great principals, give their all to this period piece. The show is littered with great numbers and Stephen Mear’s choreography is energetic and fun. The story of union strife and conflicting love is very much of its time, capitalism corrupted against labour united, all makes sense and even the crazy scenes in Hernando’s Hideaway somehow work – in a crazy way. So the reservation? Well it all seems a bit too big for the confines of the Minerva Theatre, the bigger numbers too full for the space both physically and vocally and at times it becomes overwhelming, cluttered and, dare I say it, designed to be seen from the front and not the sides. That said this is an unmissable production that put a big smile on my face and a set of great songs in my mind. It’s always great to leave a show singing the tunes and Pajama Game certainly does that.

The Minerva Theatre, Chichester Festival, 29 April 2013

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