Following it’s sold our run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Funny Girl makes it’s West End transfer to the famous Savoy Theatre. A familiar surrounding for leading lady Sheridan Smith who previously strutted her stuff as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde back in 2010 at this very venue. This stunning theatre is the perfect place for this true classic to come to life and we certainly weren’t disappointed.
The buzz from the packed audience was electric with two fidgety theatre goers beside us who couldn’t contain their excitement as the orchestra began to play. The show starts with a beautiful over tune of snippets from the score before Fanny Brice (Sheridan Smith) arrives on centre stage, “hello gorgeous”. That’s it, we’re hooked already.
Smith truly dazzles in this show. It is almost as if this role was in her destiny. She portrays the character so well and with so much ease. Her stage presence, humour and wit all mirror the characteristics of Ms Brice. What’s refreshing is that she really does put her own spin on such an iconic role (originally performed by Barbara Streisand) which gives it a whole new level of greatness. No-one is raining on her parade.
Former Popstars finalist Darius Campbell also gives a stellar performance as Mr Arnstien. He is slick, cool and ticks all the right boxes. The paring between him and Smith is also captivating and overall it was a fantastic, moving, piece of art.
The ensemble add so much light heartedness and fun to the piece and like any, are the back bone of the musical. They ooze so much talent and really do put everything into what they are doing. In our opinion, they are just as important as the principles.
The show did have a few different qualities to the original movie but it really does do it justice. With a full live Orchestra it gives the show real class and elegance, which a classic such as this deserves to have. With the Menier run, the company were very limited on stage space so with the transfer, it has just created a whole different feel which is very exciting.
The run time is 2 hours 45 mins and ended with a full audience standing ovation which left Sheridan teary and overwhelmed. Her humbleness in that moment struck as being so special and something she most certainly deserved. It just shows how down to earth she is and how she truly loves being up on that stage.
This performance is something that is not to be missed and if you can get a ticket, we highly recommend you do. It’s time to laugh, feel many emotions and see the greatest star in action.
You can buy ticket’s here http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/funny-girl/savoy-theatre/
The Theatre Hub 