Crazy For You - Chichester / Gillian Lynne Theatre

I saw the matinee this afternoon with Jack Wilcox and he was excellent - a real tour de force. He and Tom Edden had a lot of fun in ‘that’ scene. So much so that Tom Edden had time to berate us, the audience, for being late in responding to one of his jokes 

Sorry I didn’t see a cast list so wouldn’t like to guess

Half time and the cast board has updated itself and Carly Anderson is on

Despite what the cast board said it was George Bray as Eugene last night, he was great!

He was! And according to West End Understudies, yesterday was his debut in the role!

Revisited this show last night after being slightly underwhelmed from attending an early preview performance. Show really is in great shape. The entire cast work their socks off. Each number ending to cheers and act one finale a show stopper. From the front of the dress circle the richness of the lighting is stunning and the view spectacular (previous side view seat really didn’t do the show full justice). Interesting to see Jack Wilcox on as Bobby. His performance was outstanding. He brought a wonderful warm charm to the show. Perfect comic timing, superb dancing and a richness in voice which made those Gershwin melodies soar. He has made the role rightly his own as alternate Bobby Child. I could sit through it again!

I seen this tonight with my lottery ticket, I was three rows from the stage in a centre seat for £30, so honestly I couldn't recommend the lottery more!

I've never seen Crazy For You before and purposefully went in without reading anything and really loved it! Charlie Stemp is one of the most energetic performers I've ever seen, he's just on full throttle from beginning to end and totally embodied the character. He's never been the strongest vocalist, but his dancing and acting ability are just incredible to watch. The whole cast were great actually, especially Carly Anderson who also sang and danced brilliantly.

This was actually the first time I've been in the Gillian Lynne since I went to the last ever show of Cinders last year, but I would honestly say it's up there with one of my favourites in town now. It feels like it's impossible to have a bad view form any seat and all of the FOH are always so friendly.

I seen something really interesting that was a first for me though - A lady in the front row came in late and as soon as she sat down took a photo of the show on her phone. I thought at the time that it was really distracting and annoying, but totally forgot about it. However during the interval one of the FOH approached her and asked her to delete the photo in front of them as it's prohibited, they were really nice about it to be fair but the woman seemed flustered and said she missed the beginning when the announcement for no phones, to which the FOH said don't worry it's fine, I just need you to delete it for me. I'm not against this in any way, but I just found it interesting that they were so proactive and asking her to remove the image as I've never seen that before. I'd say at least one person around me takes photos when they aren't supposed to every time I go to the theatre nowadays and annoy everyone around them, but I've never actually seen anyone told off.

I read this interview with Charlie Stemp a little while ago where he voiced his anger at people taking photos at shows -
www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/jun/20/f-you-get-your-phone-out-im-going-to-lose-it-charlie-stemp-britains-musicals-megastar

It makes me wonder...did the request come from him as she was sitting in the front row? Probably not, but it's an interesting thought!

Saw this again last night and it's still a joy a couple of days later to see, pure happiness and fun.

Great to see Charlie as Bobby this time after Jack's interpretation on Wednesday. Jack was back this time as Bela Zangler and I see on Instagram it was his debut in that cover role, he played the role well and did superb in that "scene". After seeing both guys this week I would say they are equally matched with talent and charisma as Bobby.

Tess was played by Nell Martin (the board said) and I enjoyed her take on the part she matched well with Jack. Moose was played by Nathan Elwick, he was funny and sweet as the loveable character and "Slap That Bass" is a fab number. Still blown away by the ballet tap dancing on the table and all of the performances are phenomenal. Was great to see the costumes from another angle as I saw extra details and they are divine.

My fellow theatre goer had not seen it before and went on my recommendation and loved it just as much as I did so much that she has rebooked as well!

As mentioned above there was a rude woman who turned up late drinking wine throughout the show with her husband and was not only taking photos but scrolling through Facebook etc, why come to the theatre?! Where we were seated we could see the light of her phone which was highly distracting we complained (with many others) and I am pleased to hear she had to delete the images. It's common decency to not take photos while the show is on, there was a god send though as she fell asleep in the second part!

My only other grievance is the temperature in the Theatre was baking last night! The merchandise people must have been happy as I saw lots of Crazy For You fans in the second part being used!

Second visit and would definitely go again it's lovely to see a show that brings a smile to your face and warms your heart. A must see again and again a top show...who could ask for anything more!

Is he an alternate? Does he always do the Wednesday matinee?

Yes, or at least I have seen the ushers ask about that.

There are lots of ways around this, of course, especially if you're connected to wifi and the photos have uploaded to your account during the show. But I doubt the kind of person who takes photos in full view has planned any of this.

And still this was brilliant last night... an absolute joy to watch. Charming, silly, innocent fun.