Leeds Grand Theatre – until Saturday 29 July 2023
5*****
One of the things I wanted to do when visiting New York was to tap dance down 42nd Street. I can’t tap dance or sing so I envy those who can. But I did my version and a tick was placed on the bucket list. For me, you can never go wrong with a good old fashioned musical filled with tap dancing, so 42nd Street was always going to make me happy
The story of the talented dancer plucked from the chorus line to take the starring role in a Broadway musical is the Cinderella story of the American Depression, and this revival is injected with new energy.
Singer Dorothy Brock is due to be the star of “Pretty Lady”, the new musical by Julian Marsh. Unfortunately she can’t dance so Marsh demands lots of chorus girls to hide this. Small-town hopeful Peggy Sawyer joins the chorus line, but has a lucky break (literally – when Dorothy cracks her ankle) and gets to play the lead role. The attraction of 42nd Street is the dancing, and a string of catchy 1930s songs by Harry Warren and Al Dubin – the kind you know without knowing you know them (‘We’re in the Money’, ‘Lullaby of Broadway’, ‘Forty Second Street’, etc). Satisfyingly, the show starts with a curtain rising to show tap-dancing feet – it can only get better.
Nicole-Lily Baisden is a powerhouse of tap, with unbelievable solos in 42nd Street, and nails Peggy Sawyer’s naivety and ambition. Sam Lips as cocky tenor Billy Lawler is the perfect dance partner, while Michael Praed as Julian Marsh marshals proceedings with convincing egotism and drive. Faye Tozer and Les Dennis make a sparkly Maggie Jones and Bert Barry, and Sarah-Marie Maxwell, Aimee Hodnett and Brianna Craig are endlessly bright and fun as chorus girls. But the entire company are perfect and every step is a joy to watch. Samantha Womack and Baisden compete to steal every scene, bubbling with energy and presence. Womack has great comic timing and lack of vanity. Whether she’s belting out Boulevard of Broken Dreams or swooning in I Only Have Eyes For You. Baisden just has talent by the bucketful, which we get to see with every dance step she takes.
Outstanding choreography by Bill Deamer is pure Hollywood and the set and costume designs by Robert Jones just sparkle under the assured direction of Jonathan Church. The live band (Jennifer Whyte, Grant Walsh, Toby Kelly, Simon Willims, Rhodri Taylor, Jamie Fathers, Tom Tait, Kevin Ferris, Alan Hase, Jamie Pimenta, Simon Walker, Dave Oxley, Mark Fincham, Paul Rosi), who are kept in a a pit for a reason, give life to the music and lyrics of Warren and Dubin.
The show is just tap dancing heaven. It’s very early in the tour so there is plenty of chance to see this totally joyous musical and everyone can come and meet those dancing feet, at the avenue I’m taking you to, 42nd Street.