42nd Street
Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

UK Productions continue their national tour of the ever popular toe tapping Broadway Musical “42nd
Street” with it‘s dazzling dance routines.

Now starring West End, Broadway, Television and Film actor Tim Flavin as the tough talking theatrical
producer Julian Marsh this show is a real team effort with plenty of shining performances.

In spite of a technical problem in Act 2, Scene 5 that required the lowering of the curtain and remedial
action of 5 minutes duration the show moved with pace and was well directed by Mark Bramble. Graeme
Henderson’s choreography fills the stage with plenty of tap dancing and sparkling routines and the costumes
were colourful too.

The staging making use of a number of back drops works well but I would like to have seen some representation of the train carriages for the classic "Shuffle Off To Buffalo" as that relied too much on the imagination. Some of the spot lighting appeared a little delayed and some of the key characters were at times under lit.

The story of young Peggy Sawyer yearning for stardom and getting her chance when seasoned star Dorothy
Brock breaks her ankle is very much incidental to the wonderful music and lyrics of Harry Warren and Al
Dubin and some may well remember Dick Powell in Busby Berkeley’s 1933 film musical. This stage production captures much of the energy of that film.

Tim Flavin brings all of his theatrical experience to the role of Julian Marsh the uncompromising and
demanding producer whose career depends on the success of his latest musical “Pretty Lady” He gives strong vocal performances of both “Lullaby of Broadway” and “42nd Street” and certainly looks the part.

Julia J Nagle as aging star Dorothy Brock is excellent and has just the right edge to her performance as the
star whose role could be taken by a more talented youngster in the chorus should she fall.

Bruce Montague is a cuddly Abner Dillon, the money behind the show and love interest of Dorothy although she soon transfers her affections to former stage partner Pat Denning. Bruce Montague is perhaps best known for his five years in the BBC TV sit com “Butterflies” co-starring Wendy Craig. He has a
commanding stage presence.

Jessica Punch is a confident Peggy Sawyer and carries off both her singing and dancing roles with
enthusiasm. Likewise Ashley Nottingham as Billy Lawlor is hardly off stage and is an accomplished tap dancer himself. Vocally, I would like to have heard more amplification of his voice and of everyone else in the
show as from time to time it was difficult to hear everything they said. His rendition of “I Only Have Eyes for You” in Act 1 was charming and in the best of Hollywood tradition.

Shirley Jameson who has previously played the role of Maggie Jones the co writer of “Pretty Lady” looks
after the chorus girls and is great fun throughout but particularly in “Shadow Waltz” and “Keep Young and
Beautiful”.

The large orchestra led by Jon Watson was just right for this size of show but again it could have been a
little louder particularly for the superb overture where all of the memorable numbers from the show are
played.

All said, a very entertaining show and well worth seeing. Running time 2 and a half hours including the
interval. Continues at the Alexandra until Saturday 27th October.

To book tickets or see news of forthcoming plays at the Alexandra Theatre, visit www.birmingham-alexandra.co.uk

Review by Clive Fuller