A Chorus Line

Musicals

West End

London Palladium

Until Sat Jan 18 2014

Francis Loney

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Time Out says

Wed Feb 20 2013

Marvin Hamlisch’s 1975 musical about a group of dancers auditioning for an unnamed Broadway show is – like the late Hamlisch himself – one of the all-time greats. And to all intents and purposes and insofar as is possible, this revival is that 1975 production. Directed by original choreographer Bob Avian, this ‘Chorus Line’ shares everything bar a cast with its predecessor, from stark set design to striking lack of an interval to the antediluvian leotards sported by the cast’s female members.

The trouble is that in recent times, audition-centric reality TV shows like ‘The X Factor’ have so comprehensively co-opted ‘A Chorus Line’s emotional and narrative turf that what once seemed formally daring now teeters on the edge of cliché. The first half – in which each of the many auditionees shares a little of their life story with John Partridge’s director Zach – simply doesn’t feel structurally audacious any more, and lags when the spotlight is handed to one of the ensemble’s several weaker members.

But for every stodgy first half moment there’s a strong one, and the cast’s bigger names earn their place in the line: Leigh Zimmerman is very funny and very sexy as the waspish Sheila; Victoria Hamilton-Barritt injects grit and heart into feisty Diana; and former ‘EastEnders’ man Partridge is both ruggedly charismatic and astoundingly light on his feet as Zach. And following Scarlett Strallen’s powerful solo turn as fallen leading lady Cassie, the musical really finds its gear. The second half ensemble numbers are genuinely subversive, as the cast enters a mannequin-like lockstep that’s part gorgeous, part depressing as these sparky individuals achieve their ‘dream’ of becoming part of a faceless mass.

And the score is wonderful, an elegant mix of restrained orchestral gorgeousness and sizzling pre-disco funk, daft early numbers giving way to the climactic double whammy of hauntingly incomplete showtune ‘One’ and tender ballad ‘What I Did for Love’.

A classy, idiosyncratic show. But it’s a shame that something that was once such a breath of fresh air now has the musty whiff of museum piece to it. Andrzej Lukowski

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Venue details

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Name:
London Palladium
Address:
London Palladium 8 Argyll Street
London
W1F 7TF

Phone:
020 7492 9930
Website:
www.londonpalladium.org
Transport:
Oxford Circus tube
Map
1. London Palladium
  - 8 Argyll Street
    London
    W1F 7TF
  - 020 7492 9930
  - www.londonpalladium.org
  - 51.514538,-0.140017

Event phone:
020 7492 9930
Event website:
www.reallyuseful.com

Categories:
Theatre. West End. Musicals

A Chorus Line 2013 - 2014

Date Time Price information
Fri May 24

19:45

£19-£90. Runs 2hrs no interval
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Sat May 25

15:00

£19-£90. Runs 2hrs no interval
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19:45

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Mon May 27

19:45

£19-£90. Runs 2hrs no interval
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Tue May 28

19:45

£19-£90. Runs 2hrs no interval
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Wed May 29

15:00

£19-£90. Runs 2hrs no interval
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19:45

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Thu May 30

19:45

£19-£90. Runs 2hrs no interval
Buy tickets
Fri May 31

19:45

£19-£90. Runs 2hrs no interval
Buy tickets

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Comments & ratings

(4 ratings)

This was naf, old hat, badly acted (terrible fake American accents) with superficial characters and well past its sell by date. The dancing was not what it should be, and the theatre is too large for this show as the actors can't fill the stage. The final number was like a local amateur production. The world and theatre has moved on since this show first hit the stage and it shows. Hire the DVD of the film instead if you want to see a museum piece. By the way, I felt ripped off. Nearly £100 for a seat when tickets were being sold for £19 on the day and there was hardly anyone in the audience!

Alex Tue May 7
Rated as: 1/5
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I went to A Chorus Line in previews and enjoyed it immensely. As my only previous experience was the movie with Michael Douglas, I was pleasantly surprised by knowing more of the tunes than I expected ("At the ballet", "What I did for love" and "One"). The choreography was fantastic, as it showed character progression as well as the acting or singing did. I LOVED the solo from Scarlett Strallen from The Music and the Mirror. Go and see it!

Mags Tue Feb 26
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A new show has come to London and this one is definitely worth seeing, the songs are great and very catchy. The actor who plays the producer was excellent. A bonus is the comfy seats with more leg room than the average theatre which for being 6ft 2 makes all the difference!

AJ Wed Feb 20
Rated as: 4/5
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Brilliant production so much better than the movie. Would recommend for a fun night out.

Roxanne Wed Feb 20
Rated as: 4/5
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I must admit I wasn’t sure what to expect but this was well presented and kept me fixed on the stage for the whole two hours – considering there is no interval it is a well put together show. Funny, catchy, great flow to it with excellent songs. I recommend everyone to go see it at the palladium theatre.

Marc Wed Feb 20
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I love this show - one of my all time favourites. Unfortunately this production just doesn't have the talent to pull it off. It lacks precision and left me feeling disappointed. Overall its a good production I just wish it was as awesome as it could be.

jon Wed Feb 20
Rated as: 3/5
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A Chorus Line

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A Chorus Line 2013 - 2014

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