Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Rhys Whitfield. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Rhys Whitfield. Sort by date Show all posts
Friday, 6 December 2024
The West End’s Most Stylish Show? The Devil Wears Prada Musical Delivers Glamour and Heart
The Devil Wears Prada musical delivers a dazzling blend of nostalgia, fresh storytelling, and powerhouse performances- a night out that even Miranda Priestly might deem acceptable"
The Devil Wears Prada
Dominion Theatre
When adapting a cultural phenomenon like The Devil Wears Prada, the stakes are high. Fortunately, this musical adaptation succeeds in channeling the charm and sass of the beloved 2006 film while refreshing the story for modern audiences. With a talented creative team led by Elton John (music), Shaina Taub/Mark Sonnenblick (lyrics), and direction/choreography by Tony Award-winning Jerry Mitchell, the musical brings a vibrant mix of fashion, drama, and heartfelt character development to the stage.
One of the show's strengths lies in its balance of homage and reinvention. Fans of the movie will appreciate iconic nods like the cerulean sweater monologue and Andy’s stunning transformation, while new elements ensure the production feels fresh. For example, Andy's struggles with her weight are taken out, reflecting contemporary sensibilities. Similarly, the character of Nigel (played with warmth and depth by Matt Henry) has been given more of a backstory, highlighting his journey as a gay man and his profound love for fashion. These updates add layers of relatability and emotional resonance to the narrative.
Another welcome change is the improved portrayal of Andy’s boyfriend, Nate (played here by Rhys Whitfield). In the film, he’s often criticised for being unsupportive, but here he’s a far more sympathetic figure, expressing his emotions and making genuine efforts to support Andy as she navigates the high-stakes world of Runway magazine. These tweaks make the story feel less dated and more nuanced.
The cast is a powerhouse, led by Georgie Buckland, who shines as the ambitious and relatable Andy Sachs; her vocals are fantastic and she does a great job of showing Andy's journey and development throughout. As recently promoted assistant Emily, Amy Di Bartolomeo completely steals the show. Her razor-sharp wit and impeccable comedic timing make every scene she’s in a delight, and her big number is a standout moment that earns thunderous applause; her vocals are astounding and she truly shines in every single moment. Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestly is commanding and effortlessly stylish, capturing the character’s icy exterior and surprising moments of vulnerability with finesse. Universally, the cast are really strong with a number of member multi-rolling to great effect.
Visually, the show is a feast for the eyes. The costumes-unsurprisingly-are spectacular, Gregg Barnes has done a stellar job of bringing high fashion to life on stage. The gala scene, paired with the title number 'The Devil Wears Prada', is a jaw-dropping spectacle where the wardrobe truly takes centre stage. The lighting design (Bruno Poet) is equally impressive, often framing characters as though they’re mannequins in a window display- a clever and effective visual motif that underscores the story’s themes of image and identity.
Elton John’s score is undeniably fun, packed with witty lyrics and catchy melodies. While it doesn’t push the boundaries of musical theatre, it fits the show perfectly, delivering the energy and humour fans expect. Numbers like 'How to Survive at Runway' and 'Miranda Girl' capture the glitzy yet cutthroat world of fashion, while more introspective songs give the characters room to breathe and connect with the audience.
This production knows its audience: die-hard fans of the film and lovers of fashion will relish every moment, but it also has the potential to win over theater newcomers. Its approachable storyline, dazzling production values, and killer performances make it an excellent introduction to musical theatre.
Ultimately, The Devil Wears Prada is not a groundbreaking work of art, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a stylish, fun, and faithful adaptation that celebrates what we loved about the original while making smart updates for today. With its 2000s nostalgia, enviable wardrobe, and impactful performances, this is a show that delivers exactly what it promises: a fabulous night out.
Miranda Priestly may not gush, but this production earns a well-deserved four stars. That’s all.
★★★★
Reviewed on Sunday 1st December 2024 by Olivia
Photo Credit: Matt Crockett
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Wednesday, 25 October 2017
Million Dollar Quartet (UK Tour), Edinburgh Playhouse | Review
Million Dollar Quartet (UK Tour)
Edinburgh Playhouse
Reviewed on Tuesday 24th October 2017 by Liv Ancell
★★★
Memorialising the famous jam session of 1956, where fate brought together legends Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and newcomer Jerry Lee Lewis, Million Dollar Quartet is an energetic show which rattles through instantly recognisable hits from the golden age of rock n’roll at a lightning-fast rate.
Martin Kemp plays the ‘ringmaster’ of the show, Southern music mogul Sam Phillips. The man who brought them all together under his grass-roots label Sun Records, he also provides commentary as to the back stories of the four stars, frequently breaking the fourth wall and treating the audience like an old friend.
This is a fast-paced show with little time for dialogue; the first half is a mere 40 minutes of back-to-back tunes, with little time for talking. During this time, the characters share a little camaraderie, but the focus is on the hits. The spectacular array of voices as well as world class musicians in the tiny recording studio set turns the theatre show into a veritable live rock concert.
The leg-shaking, foot-tapping firecracker, Jerry Lee Lewis, is portrayed with limitless vitality by Martin Kaye - a role he has been playing since 2013, but astonishingly, not a single iota of his energetic and charismatic presence has waned in this time. He really stole the show and was an audience favourite - his cheeky and youthful, unpolished and unfiltered personality was both refreshing and infectious.
The other actors had clearly studied the iconic voices of their roles in great depth, with Robbie Durham (Cash), Matthew Wycliffe (Perkins) and Rhys Whitfield (Presley) all achieving near-perfect matches of their famous characters, even mimicking their stage presence and movements. Katie Ray played a supporting role of Dyanne, but when she did take to the microphone, the versatility and depth of her voice shone through. My only criticism of Katie Ray would be that her accent strayed from American to English at times, which was a little confusing.
The pace slows in the second half, as the session slowly winds down and reality sets in. It becomes clear that the session that we have witnessed was a remarkable and fleeting moment in history, where these four stars came together under one roof, united by the music they loved.
The ending was extremely ambiguous; for the last half an hour, it wasn’t clear quite when the show was going to end. The story ended, and the characters bowed. This was immediately followed by an impromptu seeming concert, allowing each of the 4 a solo to really showcase their talents, which whipped the audience into a frenzy. During this time, the lighting effects were amped up with extra rigging lowered, as we were no longer witnessing a performance in the confines of the recording studio.
In terms of staging and lighting throughout, it was relatively low key, with no transitions in staging. The singular static setting meant that a small recording studio was recreated on stage, which was a small place for such a big sound. This reinforced however how small-town Phillips’ recording studio really was though, making this encounter all the more unbelievable.
Overall, the talents in this show were incredible - particularly Martin Kaye’s performance in which playing complex scores on the piano while jumping around animatedly somehow seemed effortless. More dialogue and more of a back story would have perhaps given the show a little more depth and narrative however, but if you simply want to see a performance which showcases these artists or this style of music, Million Dollar Quartet is guaranteed to rock your socks off!
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