42nd Street

42nd Street is a 1980 stage musical that is based on the 1932 novel by Bradford Ropes and the subsequent 1933 film adaptation. It is a backstage musical that follows the rehearsal process of a Broadway show being put on during the height of the Great Depression.

The Harlequin foyer was buzzing. We had a very warm welcome on arrival and in the interval. The auditorium was crammed with people.

The basic set design was simplistic and raw. It supported the premise of a show in production at a time when money was scarce. Trucked sets and furniture were attractive and were moved efficiently…the train sequence was particularly good. Props looked just right and were used naturally. Smoke/vapour can add mood to a scene, but the two head-height jet-streams were more of a distraction.

Lighting was excellent; both in the coverage of scenes & individuals; and in the precision of the timing.

Jamie Cordell’s band gave us a consistently good, rich sound that never dominated the voices. Sound amplification was beautifully clear. All of the arrangements were fine and natural.

A cast of 50+ is a serious challenge for a wardrobe department. The challenge was well and truly met…costumes were bright, varied and all seemed to fit the period (and the actors). Hair & make-up looked good.

Such a large cast is also a challenge for the director and choreographer. But from that fabulous, tap-dancing opening; we knew we were in safe hands. Lindsay Swift created some great dance spectacles: Getting Out of Town, We’re in the Money, Forty-Second Street, etc.

Mike Dukes gave Billy a lovely, shining voice and a lovable character. Fiona Kuhn-Thompson’s Maggie was a bright & breezy character with excellent comic timing.

Helen Haydock, playing Annie, is so fine at everything. A good dancer, she sings and acts well. Mark Nicholson played Bert with good vocals and visual comedy; and Terry Foster enjoyed a fun cameo as Dorothy’s sugar-daddy, Abner.

Sarah Trotman played the diva, Dorothy, with (almost) unchallenged authority and a gorgeous singing voice. There was warmth and good chemistry between her and her lover, Pat,  played by Adam Stevens.

Lucy Carrell was delightful as Peggy. Gauche and coltish at first, she sang well and made a lovely progression towards stardom.

Damien de Roche’s Julian was superb. His characterisation showed great authority and warmth, together with his excellent singing.

These were very well supported by Harry Heaven, Hannah Miles, Chloe Roberts and Jon Ford…and ALL of the dancers and ensemble.

Vanessa Chambers has led her cast and crew to another triumph for ESPA. We thoroughly enjoyed the performance. That final scene, where a lone Julian Marsh sings 42nd Street, was spine-tingling !

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