What’s New Pussycat? - Birmingham Rep

[theatrenerd]

Feb 1, 2023 12:50:39 GMT mkb said:

Oct 17, 2021 1:32:57 GMT mkb said:

Attending the Birmingham Rep on Thursday evening, little did I know that I had booked for the 50th anniversary - to the day - of the venue's inaugural production at the current site.

We were all handed a celebratory card with a packet of sweets, and Co-Artistic Director Sean Foley began the night with a seven-minute speech extolling the virtues of the city's only professional producing house.

Graham Winteringham, the 98-year old architect of the Rep, is a regular attendee and was here to enjoy the latest show. He was received with warm applause from the near-full audience.

It turns out that the answer to the question What's New Pussycat? is a front door. Despite being part of the original design, the Rep has never had one, being blocked by the local planners. Fifty years later, that omission is being rectified, and most of the front of house is currently hidden behind hoardings while work continues.

But what of Pussycat? A retelling of Henry Fielding's 1749 novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, transplanted to 1960s London, and set to the music and lyrics of songs popularised by Welsh baritone and former tax exile Tom Jones, what could go wrong?

Astonishingly, nothing at all. In fact, the whole affair is a work of genius, a jukebox musical like no other.

The kaleidoscopic set and lighting design at once signal that we're here to have fun, and have fun we do. A strong cast are clearly having a ball too, with special mention to Ashley Campbell as Mr Partridge, Rebekah Hinds as The Girl In The Polka Dot Dress, and Harry Kershaw as William Blifil, who all deliver comedy par excellence.

Janet Bird's dazzling Technicolour costumes and Arlene Phillips' energetic choreography are a treat for the eyes; the orchestrations and sound design similarly reward the ears. My feet just wouldn't stay still, tapping along to tunes mainly familiar, some less so, but always having surprisingly apposite lyrics.

This is 100% theatrical tonic to counter the blues of the real world. Go see it! You won't regret it.

Five stars.

Act 1: 19:13-20:16
Act 2: 20:41-21:35

(Scheduled start was 19:00, but is normally 19:30. There is ample time before the last weekday train back to London if anyone fancies a trip up.)

I was saddened to see a Tweet from the Rep yesterday that Graham Winteringham has died at the age of 99.

Likewise, being a local I have attended the Rep many times over the last 20 years and the architecture of the building has almost become iconic to the city. I haven't been in the last year since What's New Pussycat? so haven't seen it's latest refurbishment from the inside, but hope to go soon for either Spitting Image or The Way Old Friends Do.

The Rep also published a nice tribute to Graham Winteringham;

www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/news/birmingham-rep-pay-tribute-to-graham-winteringham/

As for What's New Pussycat? I hope it will return either to the Rep or find a new life elsewhere soon as it was a really great show.