Review of 42nd Street at Milton Keynes Theatre

42nd Street as a stage musical was a long time in the making. Based on the Bradford Ropes novel first published in 1932 and created into a 1933 Hollywood movie, the musical for the stage did not appear until 1980. It was a bold move to create such a spectacle in the eighties based on a bygone era. However, with a budget of $3, producer David Merrick made the bold move a success, running for nine years before closing after 3,486 performances. So, another 43 years after that stage premiere, does the musical 42nd Street still provide a toe-tapping spectacle?

The resounding answer is yes. Telling the story of a director and his drive to get his new show Pretty Lady on stage, the production of 42nd Street is a spectacle rarely seen of this magnitude on tour. It oozes quality and a large cast, admittedly cut back from a London or New York residence, but still, a bold enterprise for on the road. The cast has a collection of familiar faces and lesser-known stage stalwarts and no one is baggage or placed here only as a star name to bring the punters in.

Starring as Dorothy Brock, a stage superstar whose star is slowly fading in favour of the "young and beautiful dames" is Samantha Womack and she is a fabulous presence on stage and is perfect at the cutting line. Many of those putdowns are aimed at rising star Peggy Sawyer, played by a relative newcomer to the stage, Nicole-Lily Baisden, who on the evidence here is heading for immense stardom herself. A multiple threat of singing, dancing, and acting, she is one to watch.

The absolutely brilliant Sam Lips returns to the Milton Keynes stage following his recent brilliant role in Singin' in the Rain. Here he presents all the same charm as swarve company actor Billy Lawlor. The best singer in the show? Yes, very likely. Also returning after Singin' in the Rain is the more familiar face of Faye Tozer, and here she is once again a quirky gem as Maggie Jones, and given much more to do in 42nd Street, she doesn't disappoint. Forget any thoughts of Steps, this is where Tozer shows the talent she truly has. Finally, but by no means least, of mention from the cast Michael Praed as the show within show director Julian Marsh. He portrays the driven man with control handling the potential horridness of the character with a light touch to allow you to love him by the end despite how he treats people at times.

However, to mention just a few from the cast means to forget a few as well and that would be wrong as, as already suggested, this show has no dead weight in the cast. The full company are brilliant, and this is in fact key as this show, as expected has some incredibly bold full-company numbers. Let us just say that none disappoint. Bill Deamer's choreography is visually striking and performed sublimely. Also of visual delight is Robert Jones and his endless multitude of stunning costumes and colourful set pieces. It is, just like the Hollywood of old, a kiss of beauty on the eyes.

Sound, often a frustrating aspect of touring shows, is here, absolutely brilliant. No inaudible lines, full lyrics clear, perhaps the best I have heard outside of London. Immense credit to sound designers Ian Dickinson and Gareth Tucker for their work.

Musical director Grant Walsh and the musicians fill the theatre with stunning music for the company to sing, and even for those unfamiliar with 42nd Street, you are in for a treat with many songs that will be very familiar to you within this show. Director Jonathan Church keeps everything moving at pace, losing no momentum between scene changes.

42nd Street is a love letter to the past glory days of Hollywood and captivates from beginning to end. Stunning to look at, brilliantly performed by all the cast and just simply superb theatre. Go and meet those dancing feet and you will be in for a glorious night.

A charming delightful journey back to a bygone time for what is a must-see show.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Monday 28th August 2023 at the Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes.

42nd Street runs at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 2nd September 2023.

For further details about Milton Keynes see their website at http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/

Production photos: Johan Persson