Crazy For You: Victoria Rooms

Wednesday 25th March 2009

This is a Crackerjack review of Crazy For You. Do you agree? Rate and review this event.

Crackerjack rating: 7 / 10.

The creators of this show hoped to repeat the success of another production set in the 1930's, 42nd Street.

That classic show combined material from several films, while this one raided quite a few George and Ira Gershwin productions for music and storylines.

No shortage of classic popular songs then, but because the storyline and comedy is less satisfying, this show has not won the hearts of the musicals audience to the same extent as 42nd Street.

There would be little to choose between them, however, when it comes to big show stopping numbers like I Got Rhythm, which ended Act One. Choreographer Lizzy Westney made terrific use of the full company in this number.

There were times when director Hilary Marshall and M.D. Trudy Monday let the emotions and volume of players and orchestra reach a high level too quickly, leaving both with little room for variation.

When they kept them all on a tighter leash, they showed that they knew exactly how to get the best out of this happy-go-lucky show and its wonderfully tuneful score.

Jane Templer and Mike Griffiths made an attractive romantic duo as Polly Baker and Bobby Child. Mike scored heavily with his tap dancing skills and bright and breezy numbers like Things Are Looking Up.

Jane was at her best in more romantic numbers like Someone To Watch Over Me and But Not For Me.

A lovely, vocally sexy, contribution came from Natasha Green in Naughty Baby as she tamed Steve Williams bullying saloon owner Lank Hawkins. David Kain found plenty of fun in the eccentric impresario Bela Zangler, a character based on the great Zigfeld.

Gerry Parker

This is a Crackerjack review of Crazy For You. Do you agree? Rate and review this event.