Richmond Theatre – until 15 September 2018
Reviewed by Jess Brady
5*****
The original production of Salad Days back in 1954 at the Old Vic was a record breaking hit for the time and set a precedent for other productions to explore new themes for musical theatre. We wouldn’t have shows like Rocky Horror or Little Shop had it not been for Salad Days breaking the normal conventions by introducing magic pianos and space ships to a musical. Salad Days also inspired a seven year old Cameron Mackintosh to the theatre world and the magic it could create, which a lot of theatre fans will be grateful for!
With what seems like a very simple story from the outset, Salad Days turns out to be anything but that and is a real romp of a show! With a 17 strong cast bursting with energy lead by the incredible Wendi Peters it’s difficult not to be swept up in the charm of the show!
The story begins with a graduating class who are looking forward to the next chapter after university. We meet Jane [played by Jessica Croll] and Timothy [played wonderfully by the understudy Lewis McBean] who are trying to find their place in the world after graduation but with heavy expectations from their families. Jane has to marry and Tim needs to find a job and it falls into place that a man they stumble upon in the park has a job for both of them, looking after Minnie the Piano. They soon discover the piano is a magic piano that people cannot resist dancing to when it is played and it attracts all kinds of attention. The pair also decides to get married so that they can please their parents and hope to fall in love later; it’s a business deal in the first instance. What follows is a chaotic two hours where the piano is hidden but inevitably lost and the search for the magical Minnie turns out to bring all sorts of characters that you wouldn’t expect.
The production is a delight and has some lovely performances that lift the comedy and charm of the show! Wendi Peters is a great choice for a show like Salad Days as she plays several characters throughout, each one hilarious and wonderful to watch. Jessica Croll and Lewis McBean are the perfect mix of twee and comical and have a strong chemistry on stage that elevates the story further and you are rooting for them from the start. Both have wonderful voices and their first dance when they discover the piano is magical is a real joy to watch. James Gulliford as Nigel and Francesca Pim as Helouise/Fiona are excellent, the duo have fantastic comic timing and hold some of the best lines in the show. Another mention must go to Bradley Judge who swung on to play a number of roles but really steals the show as Ambrose the flamboyant designer! I could mention every member of the cast as they are all phenomenal and the talent shines through each performer in particular with the lively dance numbers which have been expertly choreographed by Joanne McShane.
The score is upbeat, jolly and very reminiscent of the 1950’s and musically directed by the talented Dan Smith who also takes on the role of Tramp in the show! Bryan Hodgson has directed Salad Days with a passion that can only come from loving the show! He has stayed true to the style of show and has made sense of a truly crazy story that audiences will laugh out loud to!
Overall this is a nostalgic, fun and energetic show that will leave you feeling uplifted and reminiscent about your own Salad Days. A phenomenal cast, wonderful choreography, great direction and catchy score, what more could you ask for in a show? I strongly recommend you go to watch Salad Days even if it’s just to help finding the piano