Mayflower Southampton – until 7 October 2023
Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock
5*****
Faye Tozer, Les Dennis, Michael Praed and Nicole-Lily Baisden head this incredible cast of 42nd Street to a perfect performance in Southampton.
Olivier Award winners Bill Deamer and Rob Jones have choreographed and designed this incredible performance and their hard work has surely paid off. We follow Peggy Sawyer (Baisden) as she works hard to become a successful performer and after being picked up by Julian Marsh (Praed) initially as a member of the chorus line, she becomes the leading lady of ‘Pretty Lady’, a show written by Maggie Jones and Bert Barry (Tozer and Dennis) and Sawyer excels!
Nicole- Lily Baisden was a perfect casting, with vocals that soared and feet that continually tapped in time, I couldn’t think of a better performer to take on this challenging role. Together with Faye Tozer as Maggie Jones, their rapport was encapsulating, with Tozer giving the perfect balance of support and love mixed with gentle persuasion (with vocals and dance talents to add to the perfection!).
The cast is truly superb, with an extremely tight performance from the dancers at every turn. The tap routines, incredibly complex and intricate, are carried out to perfection-with not a toe out of line. Robert Jones’ costume and set design add to the extravagance on stage, with more sequins than I think I have ever seen in my life! I was, from the outset, totally mesmerised by the dancing and singing from the whole cast and felt my foot tapping away during most songs, but particularly throughout ‘We’re in the Money’ (my favourite song In the show!)
If you haven’t made your way, or started your journey – come and meet these dancing feet down 42nd Street! If you’ve got a little time to spare, you will not be disappointed by this phenomenal cast!!