Gypsy @ Chichester Festival Theatre
Chichester Festival Theatre, Stephen Sondheim, Jonathan Kent and Imelda Staunton: four elements that, in 2011, combined to form one of the best pieces of musical theatre to grace a UK stage in many years. Some would say returning to that formula just three years later, and with a show that’s only half Sondheim, would inevitably lead to a dilution of the magic… Bet again!
Momma Rose is probably the apex of female parts in musical theatre, but all too often any hint of subtlety in characterisation is lost under a wash of tyrannical fury. Not so with Imelda Staunton who time and again shows us the chinks in Rose’s armour, from her resignation about stealing from her father to her realisation that everyone leaves her eventually and culminating in a bravoso Rose’s Turn that’s equal parts swagger and hysteria. I knew going in Staunton was a fine actor and more than capable singer, but here she revealed a belting vocal style reminiscent of Broadway legends like Ethel Merman, without ever losing the heart of her character.
It’s a fabulous performance that rightly steals the thunder of just about everyone she shares a stage with, but as always with a Chichester production, this is no one horse race. Kevin Whately is a suitably downtrodden Herbie, constantly trying to do right by the kids and hoping that Rose will finally follow through on her promise to marry him.
Lara Pulver’s Louise is the heart of the show, frail, pale and downtrodden she lives in her sisters shadow, Pulver’s sloped shoulders and perpetually sad eyes instantly plucking the heartstrings, but the transformation as she becomes Gypsy Rose Lee is astonishing. Suddenly, almost without pause she is a statuesque beauty striding across the stage and crackling with sensuality! Once again we are surprised as she reveals a beautiful singing voice and has some extremely moving scenes, especially when her sister June (Gemma Sutton) finally convinces her that Herbie is a good person and Rose may not be what she appears.
Sutton’s June is a delight, but is overshadowed by Georgia Pemberton playing June as a child, a force of nature, all high kicks and shrill squeaks and a smile that could light up the theatre on its own. Holly Hazelton as baby Louise also provides a wonderfully mature performance for one so young.
Elsewhere You Gotta Get A Gimmick is predictably a delight, the three aging strippers showing the dark underbelly of burlesque.
Kent’s direction and Stephen Mear’s choreography work together seamlessly, Mear gives the kids wonderfully cheesy routines and the All I Need Is The Girl number is a delight to watch, wonderfully put together and executed perfectly by Dan Burton as Tulsa.
Tickets are like gold dust and by the time you read this any last stragglers will surely have been snapped up, but if you have the opportunity drop everything and see this now. Of course if you can’t get to Chichester don’t worry too much, it would be a travesty if this production doesn’t end up in the West End next year!
