ANNIE GET YOUR GUN To 2 January.
London.
ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
book by Herbert and Dorothy Fields music and lyrics by Irving Berlin additional dialogue by April de Angelis.
Young Vic Theatre. The Cut SE1 8LZ To 2 January 2010.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm. Mat Sat & 21 Oct, 4, 18 Nov, 2, 16, 30, 31 Dec 2pm.
no performance 10, 24 Nov, 8, 24, 25 Dec.
Runs 2hr 40mins. One interval.
TICKETS: 0207 922 2922.
www.youngvic.org
Review: Geoff Ambler 16 October.
Anything you can do, the Young Vic can do better.
Jane Horrocks returns to the Young Vic, reuniting with Brecht co-star John Marquez and director Richard Jones, this time for a great American cowboy musical. The Young Vic consistently produces fine, groundbreaking musicals so putting their stamp on Irving Berlin’s upbeat classic was going to be interesting, at the very least.
Set in a thirties America and loosely based on real-life sharp-shooter Annie Oakley, Richard Jones’ production entertains from the outset. An extra wide, but narrow stage dominates the theatre's ever-fluid auditorium, reusing the untreated wood look employed in his fine production of Brecht’s Good Soul of Szechwan. The show’s supported by several pianists who perform throughout, being the only musical accompaniment.
Wagon wheel candelabras hang above the stalls, belying the chrome diner set when it is revealed. Ultz’s set is quite the innovative masterpiece, especially its conveyor belt and accompanying Native American.
When Oakley appears she is dirty, unkempt, hunched and scruffy and it wasn’t until she spoke that it became apparent that this hillbilly youth is Jane Horrocks, complete with yet another startling accent. Never anything less than hilarious, Horrocks fascinates throughout and hearing her perform Berlin’s timeless classics is a treat.
The frequently superlative John Marquez plays Charlie, Buffalo Bill’s louche, silver-tongued show manager who propels Oakley to stardom and keeps the laughter flowing freely. Julian Ovenden’s Frank ably complements Horrocks as the jealous former star who can’t quite bring himself to commit to Oakley until he beats her in a competition; he brings a mellifluous old musical movie sound to the production.
The sexual politics of this pre-war show are a little quaint in more enlightened times but that matters not a jot or crotchet. Annie Get Your Gun is a thoroughly consistent joy. The tale of Oakley’s rise to stardom from the humblest of beginnings, makes a cowboy musical fairy tale. Truly one of this year’s highs, here is a musical and theatrical event with enough familiar tunes to fill your head for days to come.
Sitting Bull: Niall Ashdown.
Mrs Wilson/Mrs Potter Porter: Buffy Davis.
Annie Oakley: Jane Horrocks.
Pawnee Bill: Eric MacLennan.
Charlie: John Marquez.
Jessie: Tanya Michael-Davis/Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty/Jessica Richardson.
Frank: Julian Ovenden.
Dolly: Liza Sadovy.
Buffalo Bill: Chucky Venn.
Ensemble: Florence Andrews, Alice Fearn, Paul Iveson, Amy Papa, Davina Perera, David Ricardo-Pearce, Michael Taibi, Matt Turner, Adam Venus.
Pianists: Mary McAdam, James McKeon, Lindy Tennant-Brown, Jonathan Williams.
Director: Richard Jones.
Designer: Ultz.
Lighting: Mimi Jordan Sherin, D M Wood.
Sound: Matt McKenzie.
Musical supervisor/arranger: Jason Carr.
Musical Director: James McKeon.
Choreographer: Philippe Giraudeau.
Costumes: Nicky Gillibrand.
Dialect: Juklia Wilson-Dixon.
Gun-spinning: Bret Yount.
Assistant director: Oliver Mears.
Assistant musical director: Jonathan Williams.
2009-10-21 00:28:38