I watched 42nd street at the Drury Lane Theatre early this year, with a lovely friend. I had read some excerpts from the actual 42nd street book and also watched bits and pieces of different trailers and it definitely felt like my sort of thing. I must have had way too high expectations because by the end of the show, I wasn't satisfied. Don't get me wrong, the performers were outstanding! There was a lot of tap dancing, sparkly clothes, dazzling lights, smiling faces and raw transferable energy but I felt like the story could have been better woven together.
The show follows the life of Peggy Sawyer. A young girl who travels from Philadelphia to New York to be in a musical called 'The Pretty Lady'. She ends up arriving late to the auditions and through coincidences makes her way into the show after showing how good she was at dancing. Peggy ends up being chosen to be the leading lady of 'The Pretty Lady' after the original star of the show breaks her ankle. The leading lady role was not a walk in the park. Peggy had to learn 25 pages, six songs and ten dance numbers in two days to be able to perform her new role.
The crowd at the theatre, filled with mainly an older audience sang and danced along to the show... well, when they knew the words. The imagery of the woman a couple of rows in front of me and still makes me smile. She was tapping, singing and nodding her head. She was happy and had definitely seen the show during her younger years.
Whilst the show was very much entertaining, I feel like the story could have been explored and knitted together a whole lot better. However, the precise dance steps, shimmering outfits and vibrant energy easily mask the flimsiness of the show.
I would recommend anyone to watch 42nd street, I would not mind seeing it a second time myself but I would suggest that you do not expect too much. Do expect to be entertained though!
Toodles
xoxo
