HOT STUFF, 70s compilation musical. To 12 October.
HOT STUFF: Devised by Paul Kerryson and Maggie Norris.
Haymarket: Tkts 0116 253 9797, till 12 October 2002.
Eves at 7.30.
Sat 14, 21, 28 Sept, Wed 2, Sat 5, 12 Oct 4.00 pm and 8.00 pm.
Wed 25 Sept, Wed 9 Oct 2.30 and 7.30.
Web: www.leicesterhaymarkettheatre.org
Runs: 2h 45m, one interval.
Review: Rod Dungate, 18 September 2002.
A raunchy 70s party: it'll certainly get you going.
There's a big Haymarket party going on: get out the 70's gear and get into party spirit. It's red-hot, rhythmic, raunchy and a bit rude too, so never a dull minute. It's all there flares, miniskirts, platform heels, boots and a bundle of the best songs of the 70s. Take dark glasses you'll be blinded by the flashing of mirror balls, silver and steel sets, and enough glitter and sequins to keep the developed world going for the next millennium designs by Adrian Rees and Samantha Pickering and lighting by Chris Ellis.)
Joe Soap with nice girl-friend Julie are preparing for a ballroom competition. But Joe harbours a dream of becoming a pop star. Along comes the Devil's left hand man (?) an outrageous gender-bending performance from Miles Western Lucy Fur who makes everything come true for him. Joe moves through Glam Rock to Punk till he tires of it all and returns to Julie, only to find that she's turned into a bit of a personality herself. So bad glamorously wins in the end Come on, Come on!
Lucy Fur appears in many guises from Devil to Tesco check-out girl, to punk rocker, to Iron Lady even, matching performance to the wigs a continuous delight. Western revels in the role: it could be tightened up, though, if some of the more obvious double-entendre asides were dropped they're out of character with the show and appear self-conscious as well as a bit cheesy.
Mykal Rand's The Boss changes back and forwards between so, so smooth MC (I swear I detect an Oxford accent) to the most up-front rock singer showing off a great talent. Craig Purnell's Joe Soap changes from wimp to Glam wonder and transmutes into punk Johnny Filth replete with ginger spiked hair with great ease. Specially must be noted Keisha Marina Atwell's and Kevin Brewis's show-stopping Latin American ballroom number in the first half.
And if you're going to take up your party invitation brush up on your YMCA.
Lucy Fur: Miles Western.
The Boss: Mykal Rand.
Julie: Debbie Kurup.
Joe Soap: Craig Purnell.
Miss Hot Stuff: Yildiz Hussein.
Wuthering Kate/ Glam Girl: Pippa Raine.
Peters/ Glam Boy: Philippe Reynolds.
Ballroom Dancer: Keisha Marina Atwell.
Ballroom Dancer: Kevin Brewis.
Director: Paul Kerryson.
Choreography: David Needham.
Musical Direction/ Arrangements: Julian Kelly.
Design: Adrian Rees.
Lighting: Chris Ellis.
Sound: Mark Thompson for Dobson Sound.
Additional Costumes design: Samantha Pickering.
2002-09-20 10:29:29