How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying - Southwark

At today’s matinee director Georgie Rankcom played Rosemary, stepping in for Allie Daniel (with this they did a decent job, considering they are not a performer).
The whole production is a mess, though. I am all for new concepts and “reimagining”, if you want to call it that way, but all involved have to be at the top of their craft which I think is not the case here. (This goes from direction to design to choreography to the cast itself, with some exceptions, notably Annie Aitken.)
Having seen great performances there in the past, I have to say that I am more often disappointed at the Southwark Playhouse these days.

This is two stars but only just, I was close to giving it 1 star which I don't actually think I've ever done before.

Every single person is miscast. Not a single genderblind choice works I'm afraid. Tracie Bennett being called Sir and Mr whatever was absurd.
It just feels to me like they got two weeks into rehearsals, realised what they were doing was absolutely bananas and didn't work, but carried on.

It got pulled to 2 stars by the band and it's varied members, and the voices in a couple of the big production numbers.
Otherwise this is a totally unintelligent mess.

I am fond of the film, and very much enjoyed the 2011 Broadway revival of this musical with Daniel Radcliffe. Sadly, this latest interpretation has sucked out all of the joy and comedy.

The show is meant to be populated by stereotypes -- the tyrannical, uncaring boss, the roguish but lovable chancer climbing up the ladder, the ditsy, wannabe girlfriend, the villainous colleague -- but by subverting types and apparent genders, there is nothing left to recognise and laugh at.

The costumes could not settle on period either, some being evocative of 50s, some 60s and some 70s. Wigs/hairstyles were period for half the cast and 2023 (i.e. actors' own) for the rest, which made little sense.

Of the performances, only Allie Daniel stood out for a sublime singing voice, but was nevertheless unconvincing as Rosemary.

I'm afraid I can only concur with those who have said this affair is a complete mess, and not an enjoyable one at that.

Two stars.

Act 1: 15:04-16:28
Act 2: 16:48-17:41

I totally agree. That was exactly how I felt but couldn't quite come up with the proper words.

Same here. It would be fine as a student production experimenting with gender as part of a thesis. As a piece of fully-realised musical theatre? Just didn't really land. 

Also, have to say, it was cast VERY young which we're seeing a lot in musicals nowadays. There are so many wonderful seasoned actors who are still age-appropriate for leading roles out there.

What a tedious afternoon at the theatre this proved to be yesterday. Act One in particular felt interminable. I last saw this at Wilton’s Music Hall in 2017, a production I found enjoyable but just lacking the last amount of professionalism which I thought this might provide. Wrong!…this was amateurish in the extreme with poor performances and a dreary, cheap set. I have also never attended a gender-blind performance that felt more I’ll-judged and pointless.

As a musical it’s far from perfect and the two really good songs: ‘I believe in You’ and ‘Brotherhood of Man’ come right at the end, but it can be made to work far better than this.

I have two tix for this thursday that i can't use now. Not sure of the etiquette but would be happy to give someone - I have them on email