*

Verdict for Pajama Game

Music :) :)

Hey there, Steam Heat, Hernado's Hideaway is a classic.

Story :|

Acting :) :) :)

Great job from all the cast.

Ms Ash as Babe, totally lovable and "major, big time, throw all over the place and it still falls back in place" hair.

However, comedian John Hegley stole the show, and he sings too if you like his style.

Singing :) :) :)

Don't get me wrong, I really really like Ms Ash, Teatro is one of my favorite restaurants, and her voice is adequate for the show, but with "If you win, you lose", the flaws were quite obvious. If I were the producer, I would cut that number and perpetuate the illusion that Ms Ash can sing. It is unfortunate that the female lead ended up with the most difficult of the tunes.

"Hey There" is a sure winner for anyone, but Mr Bickley put colour to the song. "There once was a Man" was taken on with ease.

"Steam Heat" could have gone either way, hit or miss. What with the set, lighting and dancers, topped by Ms Topham as Gladys, the number could do no wrong. I am sure Mr Fosse, who choreographed the film version of Pajama Game would have been very proud of this rendition. For an understudy, Ms Topham gave a superb performance.

Production/Scenery :) :) :)

Designer Frank Stella and his fantastic series of monochrome Expressionistic sets.

Excellent, bringing a 50's show up to date. But it seemed the last scene "Seven and a half cents" had a different style of it's own, almost minimalist (budget ran out at the end ?).

The current "West side Story" could learn a thing or two from this production. Simple does not mean school play.

Dancing :) :)

Choreographer David Bintley

Tip top. But I wondered about the dream sequence for "I'll never be jealous again" , was the gratuitous semi clad boys in white underwear really necessary?

Costume :)

by Christophere Woods

Great stuff.

Sound :)

by Terry Jardine

Nice work.

reviewed on 30/9/99

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