42nd Street

42nd Street has its unmistakable and catchy signature tune and with its other tap musical numbers, it is a dancer’s delight. And so it was at Eastwood when the curtain was lifted a little on the New York musical theatre scene of a certain era with all its intrigue and scheming. Mhairi Caulfield took the lead as the inexperienced but talented dancer Peggy Sawyer, too nervous at first to attend the audition for the new show Pretty Lady being planned by impresario Julian Marsh (Kevin McGuire). Rosemary Sedgwick played the established star of the show Dorothy Brock, highly experienced but close to her “sell-by” date but fiercely supported by her wealthy admirer Abner Dillon, played by a suitably doting Murray Constable. Maggie Jones (Anne Allan) the kindly author of the show allows Peggy to join the girls dancing back to the studio from a dancers’ lunch (paid for by Maggie) and sees how well Peggy executes the most difficult steps. Billy Lawlor (played by Craig Tobin), the dashing juvenile lead in Pretty lady is intrigued by Peggy and promises to ensure she attracts the eye of the director.  The troupe is one girl short and Peggy is hired. There follows Dorothy Brock’s accident, Peggy’s sacking from the show and her reinstatement and ultimate entry to stardom. The plot is fairly light and the attraction of the show is the music with such numbers as Young and Healthy, We’re in the Money, Lullaby of Broadway and 42nd Street. The cast included the remaining principals and the troupe of Show Girls. In all, a very fine evening’s entertainment.
 

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