I didn't properly comprehend that I was seeing Funny Girl until I was sat in the theatre. Funny Girl is such a pinnacle of Musical Theatre for me, I grew up watching Barbra Streisand perform the iconic role my whole childhood so it felt like a dream finally seeing Mr Arnstein, Fanny and the Ziegfeld girls in real life... well real life on stage but you know what I mean!
Since the revival came about I had heard nothing but good things about the whole show and Sheridan Smith's portraying of the Brooklyn born Fanny Brice, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little skeptical. All my doubts flew away when Ms Smith stepped on stage though. There was a connection between Fanny and the audience from the get-go which made the transition of Fanny from a hoofer to a comic star and her dramatic love affair with Nick Arnstein that much more touching.
Sheridan put her own unique spin on the whole role, shying away from Streisand's original portrayal and really creating a whole new character. Her comedic timing was spot on and something I really enjoyed was the way Sheridan made songs seem more personal. 'People' for example. Instead of being a huge belt number, Sheridan shied away from that and made it more of a statement about the loneliness her character was feeling and even 'Don't Rain on my Parade' was more personal. I don't know how Ms Smith does it but it just felt magical.
I saw the show whilst it was still in previews so I am hoping to go back once its officially open (which is tonight if you're reading this the day of upload!) If you want to see magic created on stage then please go to this show. From the old vaudeville feel at the start to the vast emotions felt on stage, there's something in this show for everyone and you'd be silly to miss your chance to see such an iconic show on stage! Also a final comment: I cried as soon as I came out of the theatre so if that doesn't tell you how good it was then I don't know what will!?
