#Annabel Glick (Lucky Stiff)

[grimaussiewitch]

Sooooo… any trafficblr fans who’s seen Lucky Stiff?

I have a stupid treebark au idea…

Edit: we’re making it a thing I’ll come back later for my reasons

Harry Witherspoon = Martyn Inthelittlewood

Annabel Glick = Rendog

Rita LaPorta = Grian

Vinnie DiRuzzio = Jimmy AND Joel

Luigi Gaudi = “Terry”

Dominique du Monaco = Scott

Emcee = Skizz

Anthony Hendon = Mumbo

Landlady = Cleo

Rita’s husband = Scar

[londontheatre]

Lucky Stiff

First things first: Lucky Stiff, or at least this production of it, is indeed the ‘musical comedy’ it says it is. The punchlines are there, as are the exaggerated, larger than life characters. In particular, there’s Rita La Porter (Natalie Moore-Williams) and Vincent Di Ruzzio (Tom Keeling). They are siblings; the former is registered blind and the latter is an optometrist, a bittersweet irony. The narrative does get rather absurd at times, but this is all part of the fun, and there’s enjoyment to be found in the ridiculousness and implausibility of some of the show’s events. In terms of dramatic genres, it’s within the parameters of what could be considered farce.

This is one of those shows that is very silly, and it knows it. The title of the opening number, ‘Something Funny’s Going On’, made me wonder if this was going to be ‘funny’ in the sense of being peculiar, or being a source of merriment. It ended up being both. The set is sparse, with moveable wooden frames acting as main doors, connecting doors and, at one point, telephone booths – the action of the show takes place before the ubiquity of mobile phones. I wonder how different the narrative might have been if smartphones were at the disposal of the characters – some of the humour relies on certain people not being fully aware of what is going on, as the latest information hasn’t been communicated to them at that point in the proceedings.

The uncluttered set is, in some ways, refreshing, and allows the focus to be on the performers and the dialogue. But while the likes of the Emcee (Daniel Urch) and entertainer Dominique Du Monaco (Lydia Marazzó) are speaking and singing about Monte Carlo and how wonderful it is, there’s a distinct lack of evidence that this is the busy and bustling casino and entertainment venue that the music and lyrics assert it is. There needn’t have been anything too expensive – a video projection of a roulette wheel would have sufficed, for instance.

A three-piece band, under the direction of Richard Baker, adds much to the jaunty atmosphere created in this production. It isn’t the easiest of scores to navigate, and the sound balance between musicians and performers is very good, with no frustration about not catching any lyrics. This is hugely beneficial in a show in which the musical numbers are used to move the story onwards.

In some respects, the storyline is quite basic, but the details and inclusion of random minor characters make things somewhat complicated in the second half. A number portraying some sort of nightmare scene, ‘Welcome Back, Mr Witherspoon’, came across as superfluous. On the other hand, the ‘I wish’ song, ‘Mr Witherspoon’s Friday Night’, is a pleasure to listen to. There’s also a sublime duet between the said Harry Witherspoon (Tom Elliot Reade) and Annabel Glick (Natasha Hoeberigs), ‘Nice’, an expression of misplaced hatred. I also enjoyed ‘Times Like This’, in which Annabel sings lovingly about the companionship a dog can bring a lady.

Probably most impressive is Ian McCurrach as Tony Hendon, who, for reasons clearly explained early on in the show, spends much of the performance playing dead. At just under two hours including an interval (which did make me think it could have run straight through), it’s not the longest of musical theatre shows, but it is entertaining and enthusiastic escapism.

Review by Chris Omaweng

Shoe salesman Harry Witherspoon is stuck in a rut until, one day, he discovers he is to inherit his uncle’s fortune; but, there is a catch. To claim the inheritance Harry has to take his uncle’s body around the French Rivera for one last adventure! Chasing him for the same fortune are a dog lover from Brooklyn, a short-sighted Mafia Boss’ wife, and an optometrist. Add to that a host of other zany characters and you’ve got the recipe for a madcap evening.

CAST Harry Witherspoon – Tom Elliot Reade Annabel Glick – Natasha Hoeberigs Rita La Porter – Natalie Moore-Williams Vinnie Di Ruzzio – Tom Keeling Luigi Gaudi – Jonathan Leinmuller Tony Hendon – Ian McCurrach Dominique Du Monaco/Ensemble – Lydia Marcazzo Ensemble – Elizabeth Bright, Beth Clarence, Tom Mann, Blake Patrick Anderson, Daniel Urch

CREATIVES Director – Paul Callen Musical Director – Richard Baker Choreographer – Jamie Neale Designer – Reuben Speed Casting Director -Adam Braham Production Photographer Scott Rylander

LUCKY STIFF BOOK AND LYRICS BYLynn Ahrens MUSIC BYStephen Flaherty BASED ON “THE MAN WHO BROKE THE BANK AT MONTE CARLO”Michael Butterworth First produced by Playwrights Horizons Inc. Off-Broadway in 1988 Performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited http://ift.tt/X5izhB

http://ift.tt/2kc6DCV LondonTheatre1.com