SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER: till 19 June
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER: based on the film and story of Nik Cohn, adapted for the stage by Nan Knighton
Tours till 19 June
Runs 2h 15m, one interval
Review: Rod Dungate, Birmingham Hippodrome, 13 April 2004
All the info: www.nightfever.co.uk
All those fantastic Bee Gee songs and youthful dancing all arms, legs, chins, chests and hips.
Originally SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER celebrated the disco music and dancing that was happening 'now'. But what's it like today? all those Bee Gee songs and that showy dancing?
Well . . . judging by this present production (directed and choreographed by Arlene Phillips) it's better than ever not matured by the years but looking more youthful than ever despite them. It's a show of exciting songs, urgent rhythm of one leading, almost without pause, into the equally urgent rhythm of the next. And more than these, there's the dancing.
The 70s was a time of show even flashy show and dancing of the period is no exception. Its dance is full of youthful, wild exuberance arms, legs, chins, chests and, of course, hips. Because its about sexual show, sexual freedom too. All this marvellously presented to us. But whether it's the show itself, or whether it's Phillips's handling of it, this production is about tough male display, encapsulated in the be-flared, male dancer logo.
In this Phillips is brilliantly served by Stephane Anelli (Tony Manero) and his 'The Faces' buddies as they strut their stylish stuff BOOGIE SHOES is an early show-stopper; they revel in their expertise, infecting us, so that we revel in it too. Anelli is a fine performer, gifted as dancer and with a fine, easy going light voice that is, nevertheless, powerful and emotionally expressive. Numbers he shares with Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Stephanie Mangano) are magic, their voices merge beautifully together.
Steven Serlin makes every moment count as the 70s androgynous DJ, Monty a performance as outrageous as his outfits.
But this is also an ensemble show and all members throw themselves into every second; I had a whale of a time.
Tony Manero: Stephane Anelli
Stephanie Mangano: Victoria Hamilton-Barritt
Annette: Jane Horn
Bobby C: Alex Jessop
Gus: Teddy French
Double J: Zak Nemorin
Monty: Steven Serlin
Joey: Gavin Alex
Fusco/ Jay/ Al: Mark Faith
Frank Junior : Ben Wheeler
Flo Manero/ Lucille: Ellie Brogan
Cesar: Tom Goodall
Chester: Emile Armstrong
Shirley: Tamara McKoy-Patterson
Maria: Lucy Banfield
Dino: David Lyons
Lou/ Swing: Cary Chennell
Sal: Paul Spicer
Linda/Patti: Kimmi Richards
Connie: Charlie Bull
Doreen: Anna Woodside
Gina: Debbie Joanne
Donna: Amy Jenkins
Sophia: Lynsey Platts
Rosalie: Helen Siveter
Dance Captain/ Swing: Ijy De Luca
Swing: Jamie Hughes-Ward
Swing: Matthew Clark
Swing: Sarah Cortez
Director: Choreographer: Arlene Phillips
Designer: David Shields
Sound: Mick Potter
Lighting: Durham Marenghi
2004-04-14 20:21:11