Sweet Charity

This production honoured the original film beautifully. The attention to detail, particularly in the choreography inspired by Bob Fosse, was outstanding. The Pompeii Club sequence and Rhythm of Life were real highlights, capturing the style and precision of the original while still feeling fresh and full of energy. Add to that some truly exceptional costuming and a live band that sounded phenomenal, and you had a show that felt rich, full, and utterly engaging.

Musically, this was a triumph. Numbers such as Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now, There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This, Rhythm of Life, and I’m a Brass Band were delivered with confidence and flair. The band, under the direction of David Batsman with musical direction from Neil Matthews and David Batsman, provided a full, vibrant sound that supported the cast brilliantly throughout.

That said, if I’m being honest, the pacing did occasionally dip during scene changes. This is a show that thrives on momentum, and while the use of back projection was clever and often effective, there were moments where transitions felt a little slower than the piece demands. A possible solution might be to pre-set more elements upstage or incorporate more fluid movement of props into the action, helping maintain that all-important pace.

It’s also worth noting that Sweet Charity is unusually dialogue-heavy, which places a real demand on the cast. Credit where it’s due, they rose to that challenge admirably, maintaining consistent accents and strong characterisation throughout.

And one final thought. The ending. Those familiar with the film will know how emotionally impactful it can be. Here, it felt slightly more abrupt and didn’t quite land with the same emotional weight. That’s more a reflection of the material than the production, but perhaps there’s scope to shape that final moment with just a touch more pause or emotional space.

Overall though, this was a production full of heart, style, and commitment. A real achievement.

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