Mayflower Theatre Southampton -until 24 August 2019
Reviewed by Jo Gordon
5*****
Bill Kenwrights stage adaption of Saturday Night Fever is certainly a crowd pleaser, I have not seen a theatre audience so buzzing for a while! Most people of a certain age are aware of the huge 1977 film of the same name, I’ve never seen it but it does seem imbedded in my psyche as I recognised the iconic white suit and musical score just as well as the long term fans around me.
Set in 1970’s New York we follow the life of Tony Manero (Richard Winsor). Living with an out of work abusive father, his downtrodden mother and under the shadow of his brother who joined the Priesthood Tony loves to dance to get away from it all. He lives to dance at the 2001 club with his friends and thinks of himself as a ladies man. While trying to fend off the unwanted advances of Annette (Natasha Firth) and falls for beautiful dancer Stephanie Mangano (Olivia Fines). A dance competition is announced with a prize of $1000, Tony has to decide which lady will be his partner all while dealing with the trials, tribulations and heartache life is throwing at him… will he succeed in becoming the man he wishes to be?
There is no question that Richard is perfect for this part being from a dancing background, he wiggles and thrusts his way through the production perfectly without missing a beat and flips from bolshy Tony to gentle Tony beautifully. The equally triple talented Stephanie wows the audience with her dance, singing and acting skills bringing to life the vulnerabilities of her character. The whole cast were on the mark throughout, an exceptionally talented bunch discoing their way across the stage bringing the 2001 club alive helped by the Bee Gees stood centre stage providing the well known tunes we all know and disco balls dazzling the audience. Lots of iconic moments that the crowds went wild for with one being more popular than most in when Tony pops on his famous white suit… for many many reasons!
Every one was buzzing on leaving the theatre, its a Discoballed Strutfest that lifts your spirits in uncertain times !