A tap-tastic adaptation of the classic RKO film, maintaining the 1930s style and authenticity without ever feeling dated. Rating
Top Hat was created by RKO back in 1935 to showcase the song and dance talents of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. This stage adaptation maintains the glamour and splendour of the original while keeping the dialogue fresh for a modern audience.
The plot is slight: Jerry Travers, an American song and dance star travels to London to star in a show produced by Horace Hardwick. Jerry tap dances in Horace’s hotel room. Fashion model Dale Tremont (in the room below) complains to Jerry about the noise. They fall in love but Dale mistakenly believes Jerry is Horace and she is friends with Horace’s wife, Madge. Once the truth emerges they all live happily ever after.
Let’s be fair though, the plot isn’t really important. It’s only a vehicle to link together all the wonderful Irving Berlin songs and the spectacular choreography. All the big numbers are lavishly recreated here and delivered with panache and joy by an exceptional cast of hugely talented dancers. The title song sees the whole ensemble in tailsuits with canes, tap dancing brilliantly and creating intricate patterns on the stage. It’s dazzling. The orchestra, conducted by Luke Holman, enriches the 1930s atmosphere, sounding wonderful in the overture and entr’acte.
The set is an art deco delight with a huge semi-circle beautifully lit in different colours to represent different scenes. A central section revolves to reveal a hotel bedroom, a park, a hotel reception, a gentleman’s club – it is a simple device but is visually gorgeous and maintains the 1930s theme perfectly. When the second half moves to Venice, a Venetian frieze is added to the top of the semi-circle to differentiate the setting.
The opening number, ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’, is fabulous. As Jerry, Phillip Attmore simply sparkles. His tap dancing is energetic and effortless, his stage presence is engaging and charming and his lead vocals are sure and strong. The ensemble is stunning in gorgeous costumes all of muted metallic shades of gold and navy. This big tap number sets the feel of the entire production.
The rest of this fine cast are also on top form. Tonight’s Dale is Lindsay Atherton, who is a delight in the role. She is a superb dancer and her partnership with Attmore is light and assured. The choreography is complex and intricate and they execute it with style. Atherton’s singing voice is rich and melodic with an excellent depth of tone.
The comedy is largely provided by James Hume, who gives an entertaining performance as Horace Hardwick. His self-deprecating English gentleman has the perfect accent without being clipped and stereotyped, and his comic timing is sublime. Hardwick’s wife, Madge, is played by Kirsty Sparks who perfectly captures her breezy, self-assured confidence. She shines in the role and her second half duet with Hume is very funny. More comedy comes from James Clyde as Bates, Hardwick’s dour master-of-disguise butler and Alex Gibson-Georgio as Italian fashion designer Alberto.
The comedy of mistaken identity does, however, feel a little overplayed and becomes somewhat frustrating as each new impediment to the inevitable happy ending are introduced. There are many slapped faces in this production!
This is an elegant and visually delightful show with fabulous dancing perfectly complementing Irving Berlin’s glorious music. It’s an affectionate and impressive recreation of a bygone age, with the most beautiful costumes gracing the stage.
Based on RKO’s Motion Picture
Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Adapted for the stage by Matthew White & Howard Jacques
Directed & Choreographed by Kathleen Marshall
Musical Superviser Gareth Valentine
Set design by Peter McKintosh
Costumes design by Yvonne Milnes & Peter McKintosh
Musical Director Luke Holman
Lighting design by Tim Mitchell
Sound design by Paul Groothus
A Chichester Festival Theatre Production
Top Hat plays at the Sheffield Lyceum until Saturday 24 January, touring the UK until Saturday 11 April.
