WEST SIDE STORY, Bernstein (+), Leicester Haymarket, till 8 February
WEST SIDE STORY: Music, Leonard Bernstein; Lyrics, Stephen Sondheim; Book, Arthur Laurents
Haymarket: Tkts, 0116 253 9797
Runs: 2h 40m, one interval, till 8th February
Review: Rod Dungate, 23 December 2002
Splendid revival, potent choreography, Kerryson and Thiarai have done the Haymarket proud in a production in which the star is the entire team.
This is a splendid revival. Perfectly tailored to the Haymarket's space, it shows what an astounding work Bernstein created and the real star of this production is the whole team who put it together and perform it.
The production has a real ensemble feel about it and Jets and Sharks dance and sing with vigour and great accuracy. David Needham (choreography and musical staging) has potently recreated a feeling of 50s America while clearly distinguishing US and Latin dance styles. He miraculously establishes discipline within an impression of improvisation. All the ensemble numbers are, in a word, wonderful.
And another thing . . . every single word they sing is heard clear as a bell – Ben Harrison, sound, perfectly balances orchestra and voices. Nowhere could the sheer skill of the team be clearer than in AMERICA – with its rapid lyrics by no means an easy number to put across. It's one of those rare moments you get when your heart beats faster – and receives a well-earned audience response. But the team work subtly too – witness the slow build (music and movement) of PLAY IT COOL, the easy humour of OFFICE KRUPKE. Or the presentation of the Act I quintet (two choruses and three soloists) in which you still don't miss a word while Bernstein's orchestration seems at times to be undermining the vocal lines – he winds up the tension and represents the gulf between the characters. Super, super work from all.
Directors Kerryson and Thiarai have taken the decision to cast Tony and Maria (the two hapless lovers across the race divide) with two young performers Mark McGee and Camilla Beeput (Beeput making her professional debut). We lose, somewhat, the power Bernstein envisaged for their big songs but we genuinely gain a couple with touching innocence. The chasm between their young, naïve love and the cruel reality of the world around them is stark and dark. Their voices are light on the ear and match perfectly. McGee has a charming way with his held notes – a long steady note with an easy vibrato at the end: it somehow emphasises his youth and honesty.
I cannot help but mention Leyla Pellegrini's Anita – vital and passionate. She has a personality that grabs your attention and a singing voice that we imagine has come to its rich fullness in the heat of a Latin sun.
This is a big work for a regional theatre to stage – Kerryson and Thiarai do it proud.
Jets
Tony Mark McGee
Riff: Mick Winston
Baby John: Craig Turbyfield
Action: Matthew Atwell
Diesel: Daniel Tanner
A-Rab: Jay Fackrell
Big Deal: Chadd Garvie
Snowboy: Philippe Reynolds
Velma: Anna Harmsworth
Graziella: Pippa Raine
Anybodys: Alison Connell
Gabriella: Andrea Lynette-Young
Helena: Kate McCrae
Anina: Katie Elizabeth Clements
Sharks
Maria: Camilla Beeput
Anita: Leyla Pellegrini
Bernardo: Steven-John Tokaya
Chino: Aykut Hilmi
Pepe: Simon Bishop
Consuela: Juliet Gough
Rosalia: Rhoda Montemayor
Juanita: Patience Aboiralor
Francisca: Keisha Marina Atwell
Enrico: Michael John
Indio: Simon Archer
Doc: Peter Edbrook
Lt Shrank: Mick Hamilton
Officer Krupke: Daniel Copeland
Gladhand: Philippe Reynolds
Somewhere Soloist Alison Connell
Directors: Paul Kerryson, Kully Thiarai
Choreography and Musical Staging: David Needham
Musical Direction and Arrangements: Julian Kelly
Design: Emma Donovan
Lighting: James Farncombe
Sounds: Ben Harrison
Fights: Renny Krupinski
Rehearsal Pianist: Simon Beck
Dance Captain: Kate McCrae
2002-12-24 14:21:21