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The greatest show and other bromances: Adam Riches and John Kearns ARE Ball and Boe @sohotheatre

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Alfie Boe and Michael Ball seem to be a bit of a joke act anyway. Their endless interpretations of popular songs (also known as covers) and their double-act bromance make them quintessential crossover artists where popular music meets opera and Broadway. And a perilous choice for the discerning listener. It’s not that they aren’t talented musicians and performers in their own right. Still, their musical choices are always safe, predictable and less than their potential. But every country deserves to have a pair of self-described national treasures that can tour the local arenas and give people a good time for the bargain price of £175 a seat.  And so the concept of Adam Riches and John Kearns - two world-famous from the Edinburgh Fringe comedians taking on this bromance seems like a curious choice for a Christmas musical fare. One can only hope that over the fourteen nights, it is playing at the Soho Theatre that the show evolves into something more substantial than a series of po...

Little rocks: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes @TheUnionTheatre

Two ladies looking for wealthy men to marry might seem like an unusual musical for revival in this #metoo era. But with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, the Union Theatre transforms into a bubbling 1920s escapist fantasy. Amongst the froth, there are also some shrewd observations about harassment and survival in a man’s world. And with a terrific cast, exhilarating dance numbers and a fabulous set and costumes, it has to be one of the best things to see on the fringe right now.

The tale of blonde gold-digger from Little Rock may be forever associated with Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. Walking into the Union Theatre with its red stage feels like a reminder this is the show where Marilyn performs Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend. But the musical, which dates from an earlier, more risque time has a lot more to say than the film. Unwanted advances, criminal charges and a revolutionary device that will change the face of fashion. It’s all here among some exuberant musical numbers.

The mood is set from the start with a dazzling opening number led by Eleanor Lakin, and it never seems to let up. Particularly with the exciting dance sequences choreographed by Zak Nemorin and musical direction by Henry Brennan.

Abigayle Honeywill as the high pitched Lorelei has a great sense of comic timing and rich vocals. The rest of the cast serve the material well too and there are possibly a few stars in the making here.

The musical is based on Anita Loos best selling novel about various escapades of a blonde bombshell, Lorelei. She’s a gold-digger from the wrong side of the tracks and looking for a man. For dubious reasons she’s alone with her friend Dorothy as they travel across the Atlantic on their way to Paris. There are enough plots and subplots to boggle the mind, but the music by Julie Stone and lyrics by Leo Robin is full of memorable tunes. This production makes it a thrilling revival of a rarely seen musical in London.

Directed by Sasha Regan, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is at The Union Theatre until 26 October.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



Photos by Mark Senior

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