A lovely evening of music, memories and Hollywood magic. And one that might just send you home dusting off the DVD collection.Rating
Excellent!
A cello, a gorgeous black grand piano and two directors’ chairs, each bearing the names Stilgoe and Pulman on the back. That’s it. A bare-bones stage, stripped back to the essentials. It’s raw, uncomplicated and, as it turns out, all the better for it.
Promising dazzling harmonies and infectious humour, Hooray for Hollywood certainly delivers. Taking us on a journey through some of the most memorable musical films of all time, from The Wizard of Oz and Fiddler on the Roof to An American in Paris and La La Land, it’s a celebration of songs that have become part of our collective musical memory. And what a joy it is to hear them performed so beautifully.
The duo share their passion for movie musicals not just through song, but through anecdotes from their childhoods and beyond, revealing the memories and personal connections that have stayed with them over the years. One particularly lovely moment comes as Pulman recalls Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof. She remembers being entrusted by her father with the important job of putting the VHS tapes into the machine so that the film could be recorded and watched over and over again. It’s a wonderfully nostalgic story, and one that feels likely to resonate with plenty of the audience. After all, everyone has a favourite film, and for many of us, a movie musical will undoubtedly feature somewhere on that list.
With just four lampstands and very little else on stage, the focus remains firmly on the music. The pair reveal that they had considered projecting footage from the films but ultimately decided against it. I’m rather glad they did. There is something wonderfully refreshing about allowing the songs, the performers and the audience’s own memories to do all the work. Without visual distractions, there is room for nostalgia to seep in, and the imagination to take over.
Pulman and Stilgoe are both fabulously glamorous, and while Pulman is excellent, it is Stilgoe who really steals the show. His charm, wit and hilarious impressions are an absolute delight, but it is his piano playing and mesmerisingly beautiful voice that leave the biggest impression. A rendition of I Got Rhythm from An American in Paris is a particular highlight for me, as well as Singin’ in the Rain.
Of course, with such an extensive catalogue of movie musicals to choose from, there are bound to be differing opinions over what makes the setlist. There are a couple of choices that don’t quite hit the mark for me, and I can’t help wondering whether Edelweiss or My Favourite Things might have been preferable to Do-Re-Mi from The Sound of Music. But then, that’s surely half the fun of a show like this: everyone will have their own favourites, and there will always be another song someone wishes had made the cut.
There are certainly a few big numbers I would have loved to hear. Nevertheless, Hooray for Hollywood is a thoroughly enjoyable evening and a wonderful trip down memory lane. It left me thinking about which movie musical I’ll be putting on this weekend, which is perhaps the greatest compliment I can give it.
The music is timeless, the performances are charming, and the humour is wonderfully accessible. Whether you’re revisiting old favourites or discovering the magic of these songs for the first time, there’s plenty to enjoy. Sadly, it was only on in Chichester for two performances, but you can still catch it at Wilton’s Music Hall soon.
Written and Performed by Liza Pulman and Joe Stilgoe
Hooray for Hollywood has completed its run at Chichester Festival Theatre, but moves to London’s Wilton’s Music Hall from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 November.
