Broadway comes to Belfast this week, with the cast of 42nd Street offering audiences a chance to escape all their worries and immerse themselves in 1930’s New York with a masterclass of musical theatre and dance.
The evening begins with vivid black and white projections of New Yorkers, emerging from The Great Depression.
With news of a new Broadway production being made, fresh off the bus from small-town America, young Peggy Sawyer arrives in New York City dreaming of her name in lights. Willed on by her band of chorus girls, and the entire auditorium, when she gets her opportunity, she takes it in style.
Nicole-Lily Baisden, is perfectly cast as Peggy, capturing the excitement, nerves and innocence of the character, whilst her dancing skills and tap pirouettes leave the audience breathless.
Samantha Womack, best known for her role as Ronnie Mitchell in EastEnders, was outstanding as the glamorous, yet fading star Dorothy Brock. Her elegance and powerful sultry voice kept audiences clinging to her every word.
As well as delivering strong vocals, Michael Praed portrayed the emotional toil of the world-weary director perfectly.
Choreographed and designed by Olivier Award winners Bill Deamer and Rob Jones, 42nd Street is a timeless and inspiring showbiz fairy tale.
The set design, costumes and the lighting are exquisite – at times there is so much glitz and sparkles on stage you almost need sunglasses.
The production shifts excellently between the gritty setting of the rehearsal scenes to scenes from the Pretty Lady musical.
The ensemble cast’s synergy and precision choreography are a visual and auditory treat, especially in iconic numbers Lullaby of Broadway and We’re In The Money, as the dancers hold up giant coins.
As the first to be eliminated from this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, Les Dennis doesn’t partake in the big dance scenes.
Read more:
- Les Dennis on his time on Strictly: I'm not the best dancer, but I did my best
However, his performances alongside Steps performer Faye Tozer as producers Maggie Jones and Bert Barry, provide plenty of hilarious on-stage moments.
42nd Street continues at Belfast’s Grand Opera House until October 28.
