I’m
coming straight to the point: the London production of An American in Paris at
the Dominion Theatre is utterly spectacular.
Quite simply, An American in Paris is all your
showbiz fantasies come true. And if you
can resist this production’s charm and artistry then you are like the Tin Man
before he meets the Wizard.
It is nearly
a fortnight since I saw the show and still I think about it – replaying images and
musical moments in my mind, marvelling at the scrumptious designs, and recalling
the incredible staging and choreography.
I see a lot of music, drama, opera and theatre (rarely a week passes
without attending at least two events), and in a city as rich as London I am
often satisfied and rewarded. But this
production is in another league. It is glorious. There are no cracks or joins, no evidence of
work or striving, this theatrical extravaganza merely descends upon you, immersing
you in something so special you will feel electrified with joy. The level of sophistication, imagination and artistic
skill in An American in Paris is so great it will excite and uplift you
like nothing before.
I adore
the film. I love my memories of growing
up watching it with my dear Dad, who was a big Gene Kelly and Gershwin fan. And not for a moment did I think a stage adaptation
could live up to the brilliance of the film.
I was wrong. This production –
the creative team, cast and crew - push every boundary of theatrical expression
and achievement so far that the sum of its colourful parts is so magnificent
you really do feel that you’ve gone to another world. The collaboration between music and song,
dance and choreography, costume and style, design and staging, light and sound,
narrative and character could not be more perfect. Every detail of An American in Paris is
infused with class and brilliance. The
audience cheered so loudly after every number it’s a wonder we didn’t lose our
voices. Remember the best rock concert
you’ve ever been to, and imagine that kind of energy and shared-warmth in the
auditorium and you’ll have some idea of what I’m talking about.
All my
theatrical dreams came true in this production of sheer delight – no retakes, nearly everything you get in the film but LIVE on-stage, visceral, new and polished,
being recreated moment by moment by the most talented and inspired of performers.
Bravo!
If there was any justice in showbiz this production of An
American In Paris would never close... it would out-do the Mousetrap.
You can’t
describe real magic in words, any more than you can describe rhythm or love
without feeling it. It is an experience
you have to see to believe. So get off
your backside and get to the Dominion Theatre.
Buy an air ticket if you have to, just get there. Because if you see one classic musical on
stage in your life – this should be it!
