Gypsy - REX Manchester

yes, does anyone know if Ria will be back for the last week. I didn't see her and would like to.

Yes she is back. I asked the theatre earlier today.

Saw closing night last night. There’s still something going on with Ria Jones’ voice. She was holding back and even then it sounded like a bit of a struggle. I assume she was saving it for the end because to give her credit she killed Rose’s Turn and then some, and got a mid show standing ovation which lasted several minutes. 
The cast had fun with a few closing night shenanigans and Gimmick was delivered with massive gusto and had the audience loudly cheering each performance. 

I was slightly distracted by a family sat across from me. Mum and dad and two teens on the banquettes, older boy and younger girl. The lad seemed pretty into it and was attentive and getting the jokes, but the girl looked like she was finding the whole thing totally excruciating in her baggy hoodie. When the strippers came on for Gimmick her face was a picture. She looked at her mother as if to say “WTF have you brought me to?” And when Mazeppa, an imposing looking plus-sized gal, started her bit the girl literally put her hood up and shrank back into it, tying the drawstrings so only her eyes were visible, and then half watched the performance through her fingers. Remember that feeling when you were a kid and you thought your parents were deliberately trying to embarrass you? Lol it was that. 

Anyway I loved Gypsy at the REX. 

I'm terrible for people watching when I'm there. I'll never forget the 😱reaction of a young lad when Julie Hesmondhalge whipped all her clothes off at the end of Wit and he copped a full frontal view.