Stream: 42nd Street

The Shows Must Go On - Streaming on YouTube

Starring Bonnie Langford as the over the hill star Dorothy Brock, this revival which opened in 2017 running for two years is a sparkling and spectacular production where the real stars are the huge chorus.

Having seen the original 1984 production at the Lane with the wonderful Georgia Brown, this production is bigger, more spectacular and a tighter production. The role of Peggy Sawyer, the fresh-off-the-bus chorus girl who inadvertently takes over the lead role was a turning point for the career of Catherine Zeta Jones. Due to holidays and illness both understudies were off and waiting in the wings she won the part permanently. She proved her hoofer credentials winning a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for playing Velma Kelly in Chicago.

In this production the tapping ingenue is played by Claire Halse who is a terrific hoofer but a little short on character. But who cares! All the protagonists are played ‘over the top’ creating a wonderful evening of escapism and fun. It is the chorus with their immaculate dance routines and tapping who have the most impact. Drilled to perfection by the resident dance captain they fill out a thin storyline along with the wonderful music including ‘Lullaby of Broadway’

This show has deservedly run for years and it was a privilege to enjoy this stella production on YouTube.