Funny Girl
Directed by Michael Mayer
★★★★
Savoy Theatre
15.04.16
Following its run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Funny Girl’s transfer to the West End is entirely fitting and works perfectly in the Savoy Theatre. Sheridan Smith stars in the lead role of Fanny Brice, with Darius Campbell shining alongside her as Nick Arnstein. Funny Girl is set around the time of the outbreak of the WWI, and tells the story of a working class girl finding her way to glamour and stardom.
The entire ensemble, from the Chorus girls to Fanny’s mother and her gossiping friends, achieve an impressively high standard of precision, poise, comedic timing and energy. As each musical number commences, prepare to be captivated by the dancer’s synchronisation and incredible vocal delivery. The set and costumes live up to any high expectations, as they are full, colourful and elaborate.
Sheridan Smith had big shoes to fill after Barbara Streisand made her mark, but she certainly makes the part her own. She plays Fanny as a clumsy, bumbly and modest young girl, who never quite loses her charm. Whist her vocals may not be quite as strong as others in the cast, Smith brings emotional layers and infectious charisma to her character and performance.
With wonderful renditions of iconic songs like ‘People’ and ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade’, Funny Girl is a joyous, uplifting show. We can all be thankful that Michael Mayer chose to put Funny Girl on again, after a short break of 50 years since that last show in the West End!
Directed by Michael Mayer
★★★★
Savoy Theatre
15.04.16
Following its run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Funny Girl’s transfer to the West End is entirely fitting and works perfectly in the Savoy Theatre. Sheridan Smith stars in the lead role of Fanny Brice, with Darius Campbell shining alongside her as Nick Arnstein. Funny Girl is set around the time of the outbreak of the WWI, and tells the story of a working class girl finding her way to glamour and stardom.
The entire ensemble, from the Chorus girls to Fanny’s mother and her gossiping friends, achieve an impressively high standard of precision, poise, comedic timing and energy. As each musical number commences, prepare to be captivated by the dancer’s synchronisation and incredible vocal delivery. The set and costumes live up to any high expectations, as they are full, colourful and elaborate.
Sheridan Smith had big shoes to fill after Barbara Streisand made her mark, but she certainly makes the part her own. She plays Fanny as a clumsy, bumbly and modest young girl, who never quite loses her charm. Whist her vocals may not be quite as strong as others in the cast, Smith brings emotional layers and infectious charisma to her character and performance.
With wonderful renditions of iconic songs like ‘People’ and ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade’, Funny Girl is a joyous, uplifting show. We can all be thankful that Michael Mayer chose to put Funny Girl on again, after a short break of 50 years since that last show in the West End!
