SNOOPY! THE MUSICAL. To 15 August.
London
SNOOPY! THE MUSICAL
by Charles M Schulz Lyrics by Hal Hackady Music by Larry Grossman
New Players Theatre To 15 August 2004
Tue-Sat 7.30pm Mat Sat & Sun 2.30pm
Runs 1hr 55min One interval
TICKETS: 0870 033 2626
Review: Timothy Ramsden 24 July
Wall-to-wall energy and wit.There must be thousands of people who will love this youthfully energetic show. If they can find it. The New Players is a revamp of a venue known for music hall rather than musicals, and while very central- only a minute or so from Charing Cross it is concealed in an arch running under Charing Cross station, between Villiers and Craven Streets.
Don't be put off the scent by the title. Though the characters are children and animals, and the set bright play-box colours, these are used as they were by Charles Schulz, cartoon-strip creator of beagle Snoopy, Charlie Brown and others to make childhood innocence and directness a vantage point for considering the tricky situations and moments in relationships that make up the inconsistencies and paradoxes of adult life.
This is the musical as revue, snappily bright, its punchy spoken moments offset by the extended musical numbers. They sometimes carry the kind of believe in yourself message that musicals tend to when not by Stephen Sondheim or being deliberately downbeat. But at least the upbeat music carries them pacily. Soggy sentiment's kept at bay, even in the few slower numbers.
Which aren't the musical highspots. It's the fast-tempo pieces, with tunes that may not be memorable but are catchy enough to make you think you'd like to hear them again, which grab attention. They're all superbly performed, with precise, whizzing choreography.
If it's mainly the female trio who impress in the dancing, that's because they have, as a group, most of the most impressive routines. With or without tunes and steps, there are fine performances from this vocal trio: Clare Louise Connolly' ever-happy blonde sister Sally, Kellie Ryan's loud, essentially self-doubting Patty and Sarah Lark as the ever-confident Lucy.
It may be a male world-view, but the lads are far less prominent, Steven Kynman and Stuart Piper are neatly self-effacing or questioning as the brothers, Alex Woodhall ever-perplexed as birdlife Woodstock. Robin Armstrong's Snoopy has an elongated, collar-wearing acceptance of the way people are that makes him the wisest character on stage, amid the human fury.
Snoopy: Robin Armstrong
Sally Brown: Clare Louise Connolly
Charlie Brown: Steven Kynman
Lucy van Pelt: Sarah Lark
Linus van Pelt: Stuart Piper
Peppermint Patty: Kellie Ryan
Woodstock: Alex Woodhall
Covers: Kristen Harvey, Dominic Watson
Director: Arthur Whitelaw
Designer/Costume: David Graden
Lighting: Mike Robertson
Sound: Ian Horrocks Taylor
Musical Supervisor/Orchestrations: Matt Malone
2004-07-26 10:59:05