42nd Street

42nd Street - following the successful film produced in 1933 this show hit Broadway in 1980 and London in 1984.  It won awards for Best Musical and became a long-running hit both sides of the Atlantic.  “When the curtain slowly rose to reveal forty pairs of tap-dancing feet …” – so started a sentence of a review for an opening night at the Wintergarden.  This production caused just the same stir with the audience who were instantly riveted to the stage.

The creation of the scenes was primarily with backcloths leaving plenty of space for the cast to work. The railway carriage scene was most creative.  The personal props were in keeping with the period throughout. The stage crew were kept busy with little time for rest in their period work coats.  The sound was well managed and the lighting well crafted to suit each and every scene.  Good use of isolation spots.

The hair and headdresses enhanced the superb costumes and the make-up was appropriate for all characters.  The coordination of the dresses in black white and red was most effective.  A great deal had been put into getting the ensemble appearances correct.

The very well-balanced musicians in the pit were excellent.  The all-round high quality of the sound created by the cast and orchestra was a pleasure to listen to.

This show moved at a great pace, as the story unfolded, not flagging at any stage - the audience focus was kept up throughout.  The cast appeared to be totally immersed in the action and at the end of the show the buzz of enjoyment from the audience was palpable throughout the theatre.  The casting for the show had been well thought through despite late additions which were not evident to the audience.  The co-producers brought together a well-crafted show and achieved a really high standard of tapping, singing of great clarity and exemplary acting by the Company, which resulted in true high quality entertainment.  CAMUS should be proud of every aspect of this show.

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