Theatre Review: Thoroughly Modern Millie - King's Theatre, Glasgow ✭✭✭½
 |
Review by Sharman Prince
Based on the 1967 Julie Andrews film of the same name, "Thoroughly Modern Millie" tells the story of Kansas girl "Millie Dillmount" (Joanna Clifton) who moves to New York in the 1920s in order to become a "modern woman" and marry for money rather than love. Along the way she falls for the penniless "Jimmy Smith" (Sam Barrett) and must foil the dastardly scheme of "Mrs Meers" (Michelle Collins), whose hotel for young girls is a front for her enterprising business of human trafficking.
The
nature of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" demands that the
production be one that zips along with punch and is in possession of zap
and pizzazz but, sadly, the show, in the first act at
least, lacks something of this. For this reviewer, it seems that the
production fails to build momentum; it's as if director Racky Plews is unable to move the
production only rarely out of first gear and this has the effect of
imbuing the act with an unfortunate sense of lethargy, despite the energetic
cast. Fortunately, the same cannot be said for the second act which kicks
into the higher gears more assuredly and which begins to
show evidence of the zip and zap that is mostly missing
before the interval.
The design
elements are perfectly adequate for the production and the choreography
(also by Racky Plews) is enjoyable
whilst the small band manage to produce a well rounded sound,
though it did overpower the vocals at times. It's also a shame that the
orchestrations weren't rewritten to suit the production better (the use of
synthesised strings is never a good idea).
The
cast are the exception here, performing with an energy and verve
that the production, in general, lacks. There is not a real weak link
among them and one gets the sense that this cast is deserving of a
superior production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" in which to
truly utlilise their given talents. Still, there are performances which,
overcoming the limits of the production, excel: Jenny Fitzpatrick is a vivacious "Muzzy Van
Hossmere" and possesses a dynamic voice while the "Mrs
Meers" of Michelle Collins is
suitably villainous and scheming. Damian
Buhagiar and Andy Yau, "Ching
ho" and "Bun Foo" respectively, bring humour and charm
to roles which are nothing more than racial stereotypes while Katherine Glover, complete with a clear
soprano voice, is endearing as "Miss Dorothy Brown". Sam Barrett cuts a dashing figure
as "Jimmy Smith" and is blessed with a lovely vocal quality
and his presence and chemistry with his leading lady is readily in
evidence. As the titular character, Joanna
Clifton proves herself as a more than capable musical comedy performer; she
has a quality voice and her dancing ability is beyond question (as one
would hope in the most recent winner of "Strictly Come Dancing")
and she leads the company confidently. But special mention must be made
of Graham MacDuff who plays
"Millie"'s initial target, "Trevor Graydon"; his comedic
talents are sublime and his voice and characterisation are of equal
standard coming into their own throughout the second act where he all
but upstages the entire company. Indeed the whole company thoroughly make
more than the most available to them.
Thoroughly Modern Millie is at the King's Theatre Glasgow until Saturday 11th February. For tickets and information visit ATG Tickets.
