What a difference a cast makes. I saw the London production last month, followed by the touring version in Canterbury last night.
I was trying not to fall asleep in the London version, while I stayed awake with the touring company. It isn’t that the London cast was not good. Everyone was a solid performer. The show just didn’t gel together, somehow. Yet, the energy and synergy of the touring cast seemed to be on a different level.
Frank Loesser’s wonderful old-time show tunes and his witty lyrics are a testament to the success of this old-fashioned musical. The biggest problem is that the show’s premise and themes are very dated. A story of a gambler who schmoozes his way into the life of a straight-laced Missionary girl may have awed theatregoers back in the 50s but today’s (especially younger) audiences will find it difficult to identify with the characters, their jobs and/or their predicaments.
It is the comic-relief character of Adelaide, the non-married actress played superbly by both cast members, which lifts the show out of its doldrums. Still, while I wouldn’t exactly call myself a bra-burning feminist, I’d be hard-pressed to name any of my contemporary female friends who would want to give up everything for their guy simply to have children and cook and clean.
Staging was simple but fairly effective (more so the second time around). I am pleased to have finally seen this classic musical on stage and to wash away memories of Marlon Brando’s ropey singing. However, but I doubt I’d be queuing up to do it again.