It's time for my review of Half a Sixpence.
My American friend @BroadwayBobNYC came to London last week really hoping to see some West End shows. He made a list of what he wanted to see and at the top was Half a Sixpence! I accompanied him to the show and we both adored this musical. It's a really fun show! After the long week I'd had, it was the perfect show to lift my spirits. It's a show that has a lot of heart, which I think will be great for all ages. The show has many wonderful aspects, one being it's wonderful score, which I believe for the majority was written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. My favourite song from the show is 'You Never Get Anything Right', which I haven't been able to get out of my head. The music is excellently carried out by a fantastic orchestra. The choreography by Andrew Wright is definitely the strongest point of the show, especially during the song 'Pick Out a Simple Tune'. During this same song, props such as spoons are used as musical instruments which is done amazingly. It really worked well for the song! I was also a fan of the costumes, which were very good for the era the show was portraying. The show uses a revolving set, which I think was brilliant and was very suited to the show. Cast members who stood out were Sam O'Rourke who was understudying as Arthur Kipps, Ian Bartholomew as Chitterlow, Devon-Elise Johnson as Ann Pornick and Jennifer Louise Jones who was understudying as Helen Walsingham. I really loved seeing how the story unfolded and it was so interesting to see how the characters develop throughout the show, especially Arthur. As I mentioned, there were two understudies playing the night I went and they were both phenomenal. I would not have known that they were understudies. I thought act two was a lot better than act one, as it featured a lot more "wow moments". The only negative thing I have to say about the show is that I feel it got off to a little bit of a weak beginning. As there are some really spectacular production numbers throughout the whole show, I was just a little disappointed they didn't have a better first 20 minutes. That's only a nitpick though as the show is excellent.
The featured star of Half a Sixpence is, drum roll please... SAM O'ROURKE!
Gary is outstanding as Arthur! I know I always talk a lot about how amazing understudies are, but this performance was sensational. Gary does everything right, a phenomenal actor, a phenomenal singer and a phenomenal dancer. He is perfection in this role.
Now for my final verdict on Half a Sixpence. I give Half a Sixpence...
I give this rating because it's so much fun, and as I said, it was just what I needed after a long week! It doesn't get my top rating, due to the beginning being a little weak, but it is still exceptional.
Think it should have got a higher rating? Agree with my rating? Think it should have got a lower rating? If so, comment below.
Join me next time when I will be reviewing Nice Fish.
Thanks for reading!
-The Reviewer
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