Top Hat the Musical was full of tap-dancing, 30’s glamour and plenty of laugh out loud moments! It is based on the 1935 film of the same name and used Irving Berlin’s original songs which really helped to set the atmosphere. It tells the story of Jerry Travers, an American tap-dancing performer, who travels to London to perform in a new show and falls in love with Dale Tremont, an English model. The plot includes a classic case of a mistaken identity as well as a trip to Venice. Full of humour and tap-dancing, ‘Top Hat’ has everything you want in a musical set in the 1930s!
Philip Attmore’s performance as Jerry Travers was outstanding. He is clearly a true triple-threat, telling the story through his dancing as much as through his singing. I also thought that Lindsay Atherton and Kirsty Sparks performed Dale and Madge really well, especially considering that they are the understudies for these parts. I was especially impressed by Atherton’s voice and her ability to command the stage as well as the audience. However, my favourite character was undoubtedly Bates, a comic servant character who uses various disguises to hide himself from Dale whilst he acts as a spy. James Clyde’s performance as Bates was the stand-out performance of the night for me and his style reminded me a lot of Rowan Atkinson’s.
I thought that the set was very clever with most of the set changes simply involving the back part of the set being rotated 180 degrees to reveal the set for the next scene. These transitions seemed flawless and helped with maintaining the glamour of the show. I also thought that the costumes helped to make the show glamourous, with Dale’s dress at the end of the second half being absolutely spectacular.
I would really recommend going to see Top Hat the Musical if you get a chance. It will transport you back to the glamour worlds of 1930’s New York, London and Venice and you are sure to leave the theatre with a smile on your face. What I loved most about it was that it was a show where you can that the actors are having fun whilst they are on stage. This made it even more fun for the audience as the performers’ enjoyment was infectious!
Top Hat the Musical is playing at the Lyceum Theatre until Saturday 24th January. You can by tickets through the box office, either online, on the phone or in person. It will then continue its UK tour, including to Glasgow, Birmingham and Southampton. I would definitely recommend going to see Top Hat the Musical if you can – you won’t regret it!
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
