Sweet Charity at the Donmar

>>The cast do their best and try to give it the zip and pep the whole thing really needs but it's a constant battle for them when nothing really seems to land properly and it all just seems a bit . . . . leaden. I liked Arthur Darvill as Oscar (although the character's about face has always really annoyed me as it seemingly comes from nowhere) and Lizzie Connolly and Debbie Kurup steal the show as Nickie and Helene.<<

I completely agree with this... it was pleasant most of the time but not exciting. Until Beverley Knight did "Rhythm of Life" and the audience came to life.

>>Seemed to me the concept (similar to the Donmar Shakespeare trilogy) is we are watching the Exploding Plastic Inevitable production of "Sweet Charity" put on by the denizens of Warhol's Factory one day.<<

And I really wish I'd read this before going. I recognized some of the Warhol allusions, but just took it as 60s set dressing. I was confused because the 'girls' were presented somewhat realistically (especially Charity), but some of the staging was fantastical and the mixture was just confusing. But looking at it as xanderl did, it does make much more sense.

But I have to say, I enjoyed the clip from the movie posted earlier as much as (if not more) than the entire performance tonight (not counting "Rhythm...").

(I'm not having a good week, having seen the opera "Billy Budd" at the ROH on Tuesday. That was even less enjoyable, being dull, dark and dreary.)

I was there last night and I also really enjoyed this. The thing is that the show had some better singers than Anne Marie Duff and certainly better dancers but she was the best actor. I hadn’t known the original context for the well known songs so this was interesting. The show is episodic and doesn’t come together but then that is the theme of her life I suppose. No happy ending, just going on. For me I’m not sure that is enough in a musical. I’m old school, Guys and Dolls.. I liked the costume and the set EXCEPT for the PILLAR they placed directly in my sight line Row C 29 between me and the action in the film star’s apartment. Why do they do this? It was a full house, in the stalls mainly a jolly from a firm of lawyers, with clients. Wine served in their seats. V well behaved.
I would have loved an encore of Rhythm of Life with Beverley Knight at the end. As I say, I’m a trad gal.

ps Completely missed the Warhol ref. Now I recognise the Brillo boxes but no idea why....

I've just upgraded my balcony ticket to stalls C29 so a bit concerned about your comment about the pillar. Is it just for that number or there all the time as this seat is top price stalls. Have I shot myself in the foot?

Given the set for "Sweat" had a pillar in the same place, similarly for no reason, I wonder if it actually has some structural purpose - eg they have discovered some issue with the building that needs support?

A friend of mine has just seen this. His basic review is the lead can't sing for sh*t, but Beverley Knight walks on, sings one song, steals the whole show, then leaves. Sounds like my kinda show! 😂😂

Saw this tonight and will post more in depth thoughts tomorrow but my god, I LOVED IT! I thought Anne-Marie Duff gave one of the best performances I've seen in a long time in the title role, Arthur Darvill was hilarious and SO charming as Oscar, and the whole ensemble was a mishmash of fabulously talented individuals. Cliche alert: Beverley Knight blew the roof off the Donmar with Rhythm of Life, as she has done in every show I've seen her in. Oh and I thought McGregor's choreo was really nifty.

Was dubious about going after some of the less than stellar things I'd read on here / in the papers, but tbh it's the best thing I've seen all year, I think.

Controversially I loved all of this. Anne-Marie Duff is no where near as bad as everyone has claimed! She has a jazzy and husky rasp to her voice, a rawness, which me and my sister agreed fitted Charity. Her singing was fine, theres definitely a lot worse singing on the WE just now (JMB in Waitress!) She gives a masterclass in acting, easily one of the strongest actors there is out there IMO. She delivered every line perfectly, filled me with joy and then broke my heart. I cannot imagine how tiring of a role it is, onstage most of the time, and barley a moment to sit off and let the show go on, hey ho at least she gets a nice ham sandwich in act 1.

Arthur Darvill was embodied his role fully. Also an amazing actor. Such innocence, charm and frustration all bottled up in his character. Lizzy Connolly and Debbie Kurup were outstanding and more so deserve a mention.

The ensemble do work hard, but are so sadly underused. But a part from the big roles, theres isn't much else to do. Want to be a ferris wheel for Josie Rourke, Danielle? Sure!

Beverley Knight was astounding and it didn't shock me one bit. RoL was one of my favourite parts from this production, just everything about it! She SANG that song to the heavens and back. She does not got the praise she deserves with that voice. Also haven't seen anyone leave the stage so quickly in all my life, she really did leap off of that stag ASAP. Must've had something good on the tele back in the dressing room.

Was in Row C circle thanks to young + free, what a great initiative that is. I would be correct in saying everyone on a Friday is in there for free? Some kids were straight on their feet, sceptically one girls who cried during the finale and looked as though she loved every moment! The school kids, of which there was 2/3 schools in, left the auditorium singing their praises for the show and raving on about certain performers and what they enjoyed the most! This is such an amazing thing, to think of just how many kids have been inspired by it one way or another! Whilst it's great to see kids being exposed to such great theatre, they also need reminded on how to behave. Phones were't too bad, but a lot of moving back and forward, also a fair amount of chatter and unnecessary laughs. At 'the' moments in the park the second time around, where Oscar tells charity what's what, the school kids all started laughing, sighing and making noises- I felt it did subtract from the more serious moments. Nonetheless its an outstanding initiative, more of what we need in the WE. Kids should see and feel the arts, regardless of race, wealth or location. Long may young+free reign and hopefully some more schemes like this are set up in the not too far future.

Whilst the set very silver, it did work extremely well. Coney Island was great and whilst very random the use of ladders was great. The elevator was very well done also. Little bits like the street signs, information desks and trains were done inventively and fitted the piece great. The russian brillo pads were great fun, but I did't get it (?!), I was trying to understand the words and just couldn't see why a smaller brillo pad box would've helped? I think if I wouldn't have went in blind I may have picked up a few more references but I still loved it!

The choreo was nice but at sometimes felt too much. The Pompeii Club scene where there's 3 big dance numbers did seem to drag toward the end of the third unfortunately. With Fosse's genius choreo it might have been spellbinding to watch 3 dance numbers in a row, but sadly this choreo couldn't keep me hooked for that long! There was quite a few numbers I wondered how'd thy look with Fosse's touch, can't wait to delve in and find out.

Couldn't really fault much else to be honest. No surprises Josie done a stellar job on the direction and I can't wait to see what she gets up to next. Lighting was nice. Shame the Donmar don't do so many musicals, they're productions are always first class. Would see it again in a heartbeat!

Also unrelated but had the most amazing pizza at Homeslice, Neal's Yard. It was amazing; aubergine, cauliflower, cheese and harrisa. Sounds atrocious but was seriously one of the best pizza I've ever had. £20 for a 20" isn't bad at all IMO. Check it out for a nice eat if in the area!

Damn you must have seen some really terrible shows this year.

I loved it, but also can see why some really didn't. That's theatre, people love different things. My Grandma loved every moment of CFA and my Grandad respected the talent and work put in by the performers but felt meh about the whole thing. What can you do eh?

Ok so emperor new clothes alert saw this at matinee today and have to say was SO dissatisfied and disappointed. Just to state the obvious this is a musical ! If I went to the Old Vic or National to see a classic and the lead could not act then I would be upset ! To have a lead played by someone who could not sing and dance the role is just not good !!

The show was under choreographed as a result of the central casting it could have been a storming dance filled celebration with any number of MT performers in the lead role ! Think of The Life at Southwark playhouse where you saw amazing ensemble work and then look at “brass band” in this or “something better than this”

Plus the first ten minutes is just indulgent !!

It sums it up when the notices sat “Act Two running time 1 hour 2 mins “

Seriously is the same place where I saw City of Angels !!!

So wish last years’ Nottingham production had transferred.It was terrific.Very classy.

Saw this last week and it was the weakest and the least enjoyable theatre visit out of 14 I made during my holiday time in London.

The main reason for not enjoying the production for me was the lead actress. It was truly painful to listen to her. And the bigger was the contrast to all the supporting girls singing so beautifully and effortlessly, the more painful it got.
I can't agree with "the character is not supposed to be a good singer, otherwise, she wouldn't be so unlucky in her life" idea. I prefer seeing the leads who can act, sing and dance, playing different characters and showing the talentlessness of the character using the talent of an actor (if that makes sense).
Like Baby in Dirty Dancing who acts as she can't dance, but she actually can. So I don't see any point in casting the actress who can't sing the part. I am pretty sure loads of other actresses could play the part with the same vulnerability, naivety, but they would not be painful to listen to.

And probably other actresses would look better paired with Arthur Darvill. He, as I've been told, looks very much to how his character is supposed to. So I am making a conclusion, it the actress who is not "right" in their duo.

And I am really surprised with the idea Darvill can't sing as he already was in musicals both on Broadway and in London.