Well this time - as I may or may not have mentioned in my previous post - it was The Kissing Dance, a (relatively) new musical by Howard Goodall, lyrics by Charles Hart (lyricist for Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies amongst others!). Relatively new, because it was first performed by the National Youth Music Theatre in 1998, a production in which coincidently, starred Gina Beck in the role of Kate Hardcastle, which she is currently reprising at the Jermyn Street Theater in the professional debut of the musical.
Although excited (anyone who knows me/follows me on twitter/has read my blog will know that Gina is my all-time favourite actress/singer!) I was also quite apprehensive as I walked into the theatre. Seating only 70 people and the stage a mere 8x4 metres, it seemed a world away from the magnificent and spacious West End venues, though situated only round the corner from Her Majesty's Theatre, home to Phantom of the Opera. However, this only lends to it's quirky charm.
Although my favourite musicals are, and will continue to be Phantom, Love Never Dies and Les Miserables, it was refreshing to see a musical comedy. The Kissing Dance is hilarious - I don't remember a scene in which I didn't laugh, and I was particularly impressed with the ease at which humour and romance were entwined to deliver a beautifully sweet and witty musical.
Warning - Spoilers!
The plot revolves around the country house of Nonesuch, where Mr and Mrs Hardcastle are frantically preparing for the arrival of a suitor for their daughter Kate. The girlish glee of Kate and her cousin Constance is infectious as they sing about their beau's - for Constance is romantically linked with Kate's suitor's friend, and hopes for a proposal from him - "my dear cousin, we shall be ... friends in law!" However, while Kate's suitor, Marlow, is said to be handsome and brave, he also possesses a terrible shyness around women of his own class - a trait which Kate fears will prevent them from getting to know each other. To add a little conflict, Constance has been left a substantial dowry of jewels from her late parents - a dowry which Mrs Hardcastle intends for her half-witted son to have! She believes them to be all but betrothed, when really Constance has her heart set on her beloved George Hastings, and Kate's brother Tony is in love with the local barmaid! And everything is further twisted when, upon inquiring the whereabouts of Nonesuch at the local pub, Marlow and Hastings are led to believe that their destination is some way off - Tony's idea of a practical joke. They believe the Hardcastle's home to be an inn at which they intend to rest before continuing on their journey. And cue a hilarious mix-up in which Marlow manages to greatly offend his future father-in-law, a man who he believes to be landlord of the inn. George and Constance bump into each other, but upon learning the truth, Hastings decides not to tell Marlow that they really are at Nonesuch, for his nerves could not handle such a revelation! Instead, he leads his friend to believe that some lucky twist of fate has caused Kate and Constance to be staying at that very inn. Lets just say that the meeting between Kate and Marlow is little short of excruciatingly painful, and forces Kate to resort to desperate measures to win her man! If that is not enough, Tony agrees to steal Constance's jewels from Mrs Hardcastle so Constance and George can run away together, and he is free to marry his barmaid. And after five minutes of knowing Tony's character, you'll realise that this is not the best idea ...
If you enjoy mad plot-twists, witty humour and romance, this is the perfect show to see! Gina Beck is beautiful, funny and charming as the pretty Kate Hardcastle, but even I have to admit that it was Beverley Klein, who plays Mrs Hardcastle, who stole the show. With her perfect comic timing and complete over-dramatic-ness , she brought a whole new level to comedy. Her outrageous costume itself is a reason to visit! Among others who stood out (though I would like to mention them all!) was Gemma Sutton, who plays Constance. I really loved the scene where she had to pretend to have a 'midnight tryst' with Tony to keep up the pretense that they were in love! Ian Virgo (who played Tony in the NYMT 1998 production) and Dylan Turner made a wonderful duo as Marlow and Hastings. Dylan, I would like to say, is really quite handsome (as well as having a good voice ... I think ... :P) and Ian played up his character's opposites - excruciatingly nervous in the presence of Kate, yet devilishly flirtatious to common 'maids'. Jack Shalloo is hilarious as the half-witted Tony, yet lovably so, and he manages to single-handedly wreck the lovers plans, then bring them back together!
I could mention everyone, but just one more goes to Lila Clements for combining acting, dancing, singing and playing the flute! All of which I love :)
The set and costumes were perfect for the tiny space, and the original music a refreshing change from the well-known (and still well-loved!) popular west-end shows. The Kissing Dance runs only until April 23rd, so get your tickets now!
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