But some people ain't me!

Nice to finally give you a West End review for once! For the first time in about 2 years, I found some time to go to London and see a matinee like what I have done in the past. And this is one that I have been really wanting to see - Jonathan Kent's revival of  Gypsy, which is currently playing at The Savoy Theatre, London.

This classic musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (incidentally, this is the first Sondheim show I have ever seen on stage!) and book by Arthur Laurents, tells the story of Mama Rose, the ultimate stage mother, and how she imposes her own dream of becoming a vaudeville star on her two daughters, causing one to run away and the other to become stripper Gypsy Rose Lee (GRL). Based on GRL's memoir, the musical opened in 1959 and starred Ethel Merman as Rose. A film was then made in 1962, but despite the success it originally had, it was not brought into the West End in 1973. Over 40 years later, this is the first time it has been revived in London!
Over the years, it has been debated whether or not it is one of the greatest musicals of all time, and subsequent Broadway revivals have received many Tonys, despite the original failing to win any - these included the 1989 Best Musical Revival Tony as well as 3 different actresses winning the Best Actress in a Musical Tony.


Now, Mama Rose is a HUGE role, and following Ethel Merman's shoes, a lot have stage divas have played her in the past: Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone, Betty Buckley... the list goes on. This time was Imelda Staunton's turn...

I had seen a lot of reviews of this production and all of them agree in the fact that Imelda gives an incredible performace, so half of the reason to see this production was to see if she really did live up to that. Now, as soon as she stepped on stage after shouting "Sing out Louise!!", she got a round of applause and she got a standing ovation at the end of the show - and SO well deserved because she more than lives up to what was written about her Rose in the papers. Her Rose was powerful, strong, moving.....I truly haven't seen anything like it before and so don't really know what else to say about it! Rose is a difficult part, both from an acting and vocal perspective, but though Staunton may not have the best vocal I've heard, BLOODY HELL SHE CAN ACT! And that shows - that was why I got chills and goosebumps before Everything's Coming Up Roses and Rose's Turn. I don't really know what else to say other than an 2016 Olivier nomination is definitely possible - hec, maybe even a win! She won with another Sondheim role (as Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd in 2012), so who's to say she can't do it again.

As far as the rest of the cast is concerned, Peter Davison falls into a similar position that Staunton does, in that though he doesn't have the greatest vocal, the 5th Doctor's perforamce (Doctor Who fans go and support him!) as Rose's long-suffering partner Herbie was still a good match for Staunton's Rose, especially in the argument scenes. Lara Pulver's transformation as Louise from meek to chic was something just as wonderful to see, Dan Burton as Tulsa also has to have a mention for his dancing alone in All I Need Is The Girl and the 3 ladies who played the strippers (Louse Gold, Julie Legrand and Anita-Louise Combe) were hilarious in You Gotta Get A Gimmick! The final person I have to mention is the little girl who played Baby June, Isla-Huggins-Barr - she had a wonderful as a squeaky-voiced little girl, and could well have a pretty good future ahead of her.

I'm not sure what else to say about this than other critics have said other than Jonathan Kent's revival is a MUST-SEE!! It must end 28th November as Guys and Dolls is coming in to The Savoy over Christmas, so get tickets while you can!

Oh and I also have to give a warning to anyone who cannot stand strobe lighting, which I do not think was taken care of well before the show started. I am just letting you know that there is one scene which does take place near the beginning of the show, which does include a LOT of flashing images. I obviously do not want you to put off seeing this wonderful production but it was something that I did notice and so it is just a warning to anyone whom it may concern.

Despite that however, this show is well worth the ticket price for Imelda Staunton's performance alone, and it is well worth the 40 year wait (!) of this classic musical!