Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre 9 – 28 May. Reviewed by Claire Roderick
If you don’t leave All Star Productions revival of 110 in the Shade with a soppy smile on your face, you must have a heart of stone. Director Randy Smartnick has ensured that this musical gem, last staged in the West End in the 1960s, is still full of warmth and joy.
As the townsfolk wilt and worry about the drought, one family has more important things on their mind – finding a husband for Lizzie. Although she loves Sheriff File, neither of them will risk admitting their true feelings; and, brought up by her father to be forthright and honest, and unable to flirt and fuss like the other girls, Lizzie fears becoming an old maid. When conman Starbuck rolls into town with promises of ending the drought, his razzamatazz brings hope to the people, but Lizzie sees right through him.
Based on his own 1954 play, The Rainmaker, N. Richard Nash’s book is full of sharp and funny lines, and Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones’s songs are full of charm and wit. Under Aaron Clingham’s assured musical direction and with Kate McPhee’s well-judged choreography; from the haunting “Everything Beautiful Happens at Night” to the down-home country “Poker Polka”, there are no duds in this production. The standout comedy number is “The Little Red Hat” with the fantastic Julian Quijano and Rebecca Withers almost stealing the show.
Laurel Dougall is full of ticks and frustration as Lizzie, in a wonderful performance that adds real emotional punch to her songs. Daniel Urch gives Starbuck a real sense of loneliness behind the slick bravado, and Nick Wyschna is in fine form as the stiff and reserved File.
This is a story about loneliness, love, and having the faith to follow your dreams – no matter how big, or small, they may be. The music and innocence of 110 in the shade may have fallen out of fashion, but this show still has a lot to offer modern audiences. Any show that makes you feel this good deserves a wider audience. Funny, warm and ridiculously entertaining, this is well worth a look.