It's not very often you sit in front of your computer and know exactly what you're going to write in a review. There's generally some refinement, planning and process involved before you can put your thoughts on (digital) paper. However tonight is one of the occasions that breaks the rules.
Funny Girl The Musical is a semi-biographical story, based on the life and career of Broadway star and comedian, Fanny Brice. The original production, starring Barbara Streisand in the leading role, was nominated for eight Tony Awards and the cast recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004.
A film adaptation was released in 1968, earning Streisand both the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Actress, and more recently the show returned to the West End for the first time in 50 years, at The Savoy Theatre. It's this production, which played in London to critical acclaim, which is touring the UK.
The show has an almost entirely new cast, apart from Darius Campbell (Nick Arnstein) and leading ladies, Sheridan Smith and Natasha J Barnes (Sheridan's understudy in the West End) who are alternating the role of Fanny as the tour moves around the country.
The set and costume design of this show is visually stunning. Michael Pavelka and Matthew Wright have excelled themselves in recreating the glamour and variety of the era and allow subtle changes to illustrate Fanny's change in persona between act's one and two.
The musical score, with songs including 'People' and 'Don't Rain On My Parade' has been a sure fire hit since Streisand first belted it out on stage and screen. What's pleasing to note is that so many of the songs still live up to the expectations of a modern musical theatre audience - that is to say they, and Funny Girl itself, are as relevant today as when they were first released.
SEE THE PUBLICS REACTION TO THE WEST END SHOW:
Don't get me wrong - the storyline itself is relatively predictable and, dare I say it, standard for this sort of show. However the simplicity of the tale is what allows the stand out performances from the unbelievable cast. The talent on stage is where this show really stands head and shoulders above so much of its competition and every single person on stage this evening more than deserves their place in the line up and contributes so much to make a slick, well rehearsed piece seem effortless.
Darius, who's CV includes stints in Gone With The Wind, Guys And Dolls and a trio of appearances in Chicago, proves both his talent and vocal power with a compelling interpretation of Nick Arnstein. Campbell takes a character, who's success to failure story is arguably the complete opposite of Fanny's, and holds his own beautifully. There's always a risk in a show that's centred around one particular character, that others can become supplementary - but this is very much not the case here.
Rachel Izen (Mrs Brice) has just finished a Broadway stint, closing Les Miserables at the Imperial Theatre and the reason she's had such a wide and varied career are more than evident. Acting as a maternal voice of reason, Izen's versatility, vocal prowess and experience shone this evening and earned her some very enthusiastic (and justified) applause during the bows.
And then there's Sheridan Smith.
For the first time in a long time, I am absolutely stumped for words to articulate the star quality and genuine, heartfelt emotion which oozes from every facet of Sheridan's performance. Quite simply, tonight was a masterclass in Musical Theatre from an absolutely astonishing vocal and comedic talent. Taking the audience from absolute laugh-out-loud moments to points where you felt tears well up inside you and you could hear a pin drop.
From the second Smith stepped on stage at the end of the overture, to the moment you saw genuine gratitude for the standing ovation she received at the curtain call, the audience were treated to perfection from the BAFTA and two-time Olivier award winner. Her timing, delivery and vocal capability set her apart from so many of her contemporaries and prove that the hype surrounding her performance was absolutely justified.
Stand out moment of the show, without hesitation, was the BEAUTIFUL performance of the finale. Clearly Smith called on a time in her life that allowed her to convey emotion so raw and so real that you felt a lump build inside your throat. As soon as she started to belt the reprise of 'Don't Rain On My Parade' there was an audible lift in the atmosphere of the room,
The sentiment was that of support for her fighters spirit - and to get a reaction like that in a theatrical setting shows how ingrained support for this character, and this actress, really is. There are certain performances that will forever be enshrined in the annuls of musical theatre - and Sheridan's turn as Brice will undoubtably be one of them. If there were a musical theatre hall of fame, Smith has just taken the lifetime achievement gong.
Every person who contributed to Funny Girl should be proud of the show - it's a visual and acoustic dream to watch. The production sits alongside so many revivals, from Gypsy to 42nd Street, and doesn't just hold its own - it leads the way. Absolutely one of the must-see shows of 2017 and beyond.
I dare you not to leave the Hippodrome humming the soundtrack. I tried...and failed!
Funny Girl continues its sold out run until Saturday 13th May.
