I saw this twice at The Menier Chocolate Factory – once with Douglas Hodges’s understudy as Albin and once with Hodge himself – and enjoyed it immensely on both occasions. Having re-invented what was a BIG Broadway show (that flopped in London) for a small space, I wasn’t convinced it would survive the transfer to a bigger theatre. Then they cast Graham Norton and any interest in re-visiting it was lost. The casting of the wonderful Roger Allam (who was so good in a dress in the Donmar’s Privates on Parade!) and the return of the equally wonderful Philip Quast was the reason for this third visit (first at the Playhouse) – and what a good decision that was!
As much as I liked Hodge, Allam is better because he’s a little bit older, stockier & masculine and there is real chemistry between him and Quast which makes them the most perfectly matched Georges and Albin you could ever imagine. The show has retained its intimacy (well from the front stalls, at least). The Cagelles had a shakey start but got into their stride fairly quickly. Jason Pennycooke’s cover as maid / butler Jacob wasn’t quite his match, but made a good fist of it. Abigail McKern is a significant improvement on Una Stubbs, particularly in the singing department, and Stuart Neal is a better Jean-Michel. I’m afraid I’m beginning to find Tracey Bennett’s cameos rather OTT and this one ,as Jacqueline, is no exception
Great to see something that’s over 18 months old looking and sounding like it’s just opened and getting the standing ovation it so richly deserves.
