Where's Peen been?
Palladium, London
Was Peen keen?
****
A
Chorus Line is 120 minutes of musical theatre
celebrating itself, purely demonstrating the glitz of performing on a big
stage, but the hard graft that comes in equal measure. This is a major revival of
a groundbreaking American musical suitably timed to pay a great tribute to the
multi award-winning composer, Marvin Hamilisch, who unexpectedly passed in
August 2012.
Led by the superb well-known Eastender,
John Partridge, seventeen dancers are each fighting for one of the eight places
available in the chorus. This bunch of twinkletoe’s is superb across the board,
and it’s a delight to spend two hours getting to know them, and why gaining a
place on the stage is so important. What begins as just another audition
becomes an audition tied up with emotion and significance.
The
essential commitment to every pointed toe and every note flies from the stage
in abundance; we leave the Palladium in absolute awe. Sheila (the stunning
Leigh Zimmerman) is on the path to becoming the woman her mother never was; Ed
Currie effortlessly lives up to the demands of hilarious Bobby; heartbreak
comes in the form of Paul, whose story won’t be overly dissimilar to many
watching, which is meticulously told and beautifully handled by Gary Wood; and
then there’s Cassie. She’s the pinnacle of this production, and the desperation
to see her solo dance is felt unanimously throughout the auditorium, for which
Scarlett Strallen receives a rapturous applause. It’s one of the most majestic
things to be found on a West End stage and will move you the length of the
Thames.
The repetition of monologues and solo
performances is gripping if a little heavy and lacking an interval. It’s
certainly not a problem or hindrance, barely even that notable, but the number
of people leaving during the performance (certainly on the night I went) is all
of the above. The simplicity is spellbinding, and the use of mirrors as an
alternate backdrop (designed by Robin Wagner) is intelligently employed. This
musical was last found in London in 1976 on Drury Lane, and this is a testament
to the timeless classic that is welcomed back in town with open arms.
This production is booking until January 2014.
For more information: http://www.achoruslinelondon.com
@AChorusLineLDN
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