THE THING ABOUT MEN To 3 June 2007.
London.
THE THING ABOUT MEN
Bbok & lyrics by Joe Di Pietro music & new orchestrations by Jimmy Roberts based on original orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin.
The Kings Head Theatre, 115 Upper Street, London N1.
Tue to Sun 8pm Mat Sat/Sun 3:30pm.
Runs 2hrs 5 mins One Interval.
Tickets: 020 7226 1916.
www.thethingaboutmen.co.uk
Review: Geoff Ambler 30 April 2007.
Who knew infidelity could be so funny?
There was a lively crowd shoehorned into the snug Kings Head Theatre for the opening night of a rare Anthony Drewe directed musical. More familiar as the writing half of the award winning Styles and Drewe partnership, Anthony’s involvement in The Thing About Men should induce more than a frisson of excitement amongst the musical aficionados. The show, which is making its London debut, premiered on Broadway in 2003 to much acclaim and an NY Outer Circle Critics Award, and is now benefiting from the attentions of a fantastic creative team and an already accomplished West End cast
Set in NY and revolving around a crisis of marriage for serial philanderer Tom and his long suffering, and now non-monogamous, wife Lucy, played by Hal Fowler and Nicola Dawn it doesn’t take long for Tim Rogers’ Sebastian to cycle into their lives and comedy ensues. Into the mix come Tiffany Graves, magnificent throughout, and a frequently gurning (but in a good way) Paul Baker, as Woman and Man respectively, playing the parts of everyone else with aplomb, gusto and no small amount of scene stealing. Unfaithful Hal, living his marriage to his own set of rules, is bought down to earth when he discovers Lucy has been having an affair and isn’t prepared to stop. He takes the obvious step of tricking his way into his rivals life by becoming his flatmate. The show follows their developing relationship, as two lonely thirty somethings discover not only what Lucy means to them but, surprisingly, the importance of a real friend, at a point in their lives when real friends are a distant schooldays memory.
There are more laughs than you would imagine from this plot. Man and Woman pop up with a welcome frequency and their unerringly over the top antics, possibly capers is a more appropriate word, verge on distracting some of the serious scenes, lessening their poignancy, however Anthony Drewe's direction keeps the narrative flowing and an appreciative audience, laughing (snugly) in their seats.
The music is comfortably pleasant, frequently funny, but still largely unmemorable, however that doesn’t stop Nicola Dawn packing her numbers with passion. Hal Fowler is sure footed as a cad and holds the serious side of the show together with the intense, focussed Tim Rogers. Their bourgeoning buddyship is well developed and while the premise implausible, this is after all musical theatre and they work so well together.
A feature packed set, designed by Philip Whitcombe, makes the best of its tiny Off West End home. With a fine story, a tremendous cast of five and a whole lot of laughter, The Thing About Men already has a lot to offer, but with Paul Bakers “Man of the act” performance, a trip to North London, and its finest pub/theatre, is a springtime musical must see.
Man: Paul Baker.
Woman: Tiffany Graves.
Tom: Hal Fowler.
Lucy: Nicola Dawn.
Sebastian: Tim Rogers.
Director: Anthony Drewe.
Designer: Philip Witcomb.
Lighting: Ben Cracknell.
Musical Director: Simon Sharp.
Musical Staging: Nick Winston.
2007-05-06 11:22:18