News Desk December 13th, 2018
After two years at the Theatre Royal Dury Lane, it's time for 42nd Steet to take its final bow. As one of the biggest shows London has ever seen, we take a look at what makes this musical so stunning. We'll miss you 42nd Street!
Based on the novel by Bradford Ropes and the subsequent 1933 Hollywood movie, 42nd Street follows Peggy Sawyer (Claire Halse), an aspiring Broadway actress who arrives on the Great White Way fresh from small-town USA. When she makes the chorus of a brand-new musical, she has much more than just her own insecurities to tackle, including jealousy from the production's leading lady, a megalomaniac director, and a casanova leading man who won't take no for an answer!
Originally opening on Broadway in 1981 42nd Street won the Tony Award for Best Choreography, it then tapped its way over to London for its first starring turn in the West End in 1984, where it won the Evening Standard and Olivier award for Best New Musical! In 2017 the toe-tapping extravaganza returned garnering more critical acclaim and award nominations.
In her original West End review, Kitt McCarron said -
"Plot be damned! 42nd Street is an exciting extravaganza, bursting with zinging one liners, bucketfuls of glitter and tremendous talent. Self referential and gloriously staged, I fully fell for this one."
WHEN THE STARS ALIGN
Did you know that Hollywood star Catharine Zeta-Jones got her big break in 42nd Street? Jones was a chorus girl in the original West End production when both the lead star and their under-study were both out, she stepped into the role catching the eye of the production in the audience. Talk about life imitating art!
This seems to have become a running theme in 42nd Street with under-study Steph Parry being re-cast as Dorothy Brock after she stepped into the role of Donna for nearby Mamma Mia with just 18 minutes notice!
The current West End run of 42nd Street has seen a whole host of stars step into the production, including LuLu and Bonnie Langford who have both played Diva Dorothy Brock.
42nd Street is a glitzy and dazzling treat for all ages! Don't miss your chance to see the West End's biggest production before it taps out on January 5!
It's an extraordinary thing, crammed with songs by Al Dubin and Harry Warren, full of the sound and fury of tapping feet, illuminated by dazzling colour.
The Stage
