Top Hat

Musicals

West End

Aldwych Theatre

Until Sat Apr 26 2014

©Tristram Kenton

Time Out rating:

User ratings:

Rate this

Time Out says

Thu May 10 2012

If you’re looking for a nostalgic night out – and who isn’t in these bleak modern times? – you can’t do much better than ‘Top Hat’. Dripping with class and full of old-school humour, this sassy stage version of the Astaire-Rogers 1935 musical provides a reassuringly enjoyable evening’s entertainment. The farcical plot is merely a coathanger for a multitude of Irving Berlin hits to hang off – but you don't hear many people in this theatre complaining.

Stage star Jerry Travers meets and falls for beautiful model Dale Tremont, but due to a case of mistaken identity she shuns his advances. A gondola ride and many mishaps later and they're dancing ‘Cheek to Cheek’.

Matthew White’s witty production is given renewed energy by a new cast that’s probably classier than the original one. Broadway veteran Kristen Beth Williams is captivating as Dale, as comfortable cheekily taking control in the hip-wiggling ‘Wild About You’ as she is being elegantly spun around in feathers. She and understudy Alan Burkitt (very capably standing in for Gavin Lee as Jerry) glide around the stage effortlessly and spark off each other very prettily.

As Latin lover Alberto Beddini, Alex Gaumond handles the issue of this dated racial stereotype with his tongue firmly in his cheek. Gaumond relishes every pompous affectation and is marvellously silly, while for a rather more English send up, Stephen Boswell does a superb line in sardonic one-liners as long suffering manservant Bates. Honour Bayes

Comments

Add +

Venue details

MAP

Name:
Aldwych Theatre
Address:
Aldwych Theatre 49 Aldwych
London
WC2B 4DF

Phone:
0844 248 5140
Transport:
Tube: Embankment tube or Charing Cross tube/rail
Map
1. Aldwych Theatre
  - 49 Aldwych
    London
    WC2B 4DF
  - 0844 248 5140
  - 51.513111,-0.118803

Event phone:
0844 248 5140

Categories:
Theatre. West End. Musicals
Type of event:
Plays and shows

Top Hat 2013 - 2014

Date Time Price information
Thu May 23

19:30

£20-£90. Booking to Apr 27 2014
Buy tickets
Fri May 24

19:30

£20-£90. Booking to Apr 27 2014
Buy tickets
Sat May 25

14:30

£20-£90. Booking to Apr 27 2014
Buy tickets

19:30
Tue May 28

14:30

£20-£90. Booking to Apr 27 2014
Buy tickets

19:30
Wed May 29

19:30

£20-£90. Booking to Apr 27 2014
Buy tickets
Thu May 30

14:30

£20-£90. Booking to Apr 27 2014
Buy tickets

19:30
Fri May 31

19:30

£20-£90. Booking to Apr 27 2014
Buy tickets

Share your thoughts

Your rating
Name *
Email *
Comment *
* mandatory fields
Tick to receive relevant updates from Time Out including news, events, offers and competitions.

Comments & ratings

(6 ratings)

Loved it! Would certainly go back and see again! Watched Fred and Ginger on Youtube afterwards and the show interpretation matched well. In fact may prefer the show's 'picolino'. Predictable plot but who cares! I saw it with Charlotte Gooch, not Summer Strallen, but she was great as were Tom Chambers and the whole caste! You get your money's worth.

JB Fri Jan 25
Report
1. Name *
2. Email *
3. Reason *
It was a great night, full of great music, superb scenery, great dancing and a splendid interpretation of those years of song and dance.

John Tue Jan 15
Rated as: 5/5
Report
1. Name *
2. Email *
3. Reason *
Great, fabulous, wonderful. It grabs you from the curtain up and never lets go. Superb feelgood ligthearted entertainment. Put a smile on your face. go see it.

Alan Mon Aug 20 2012
Report
1. Name *
2. Email *
3. Reason *
Brilliant feel good show. Can't recommend it highly enough!!!

Rachel S Thu May 10 2012
Rated as: 5/5
Report
1. Name *
2. Email *
3. Reason *
Top notch, escapist fun with first-class perfomances. Full report here http://frontrowdress.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/top-hat-aldwych-theatre-friday-27-april.html

Front Row Dress Sat Apr 28 2012
Rated as: 5/5
Report
1. Name *
2. Email *
3. Reason *

Top Hat

Time Out rating:

User ratings:

Time Out says

Venue details

Map

Top Hat 2013 - 2014

Comments & ratings

Near Aldwych Theatre

Bars and pubs

Restaurants and cafés

Shops

About us

Time Out products

Time Out London magazine

Advertising

Site map

Follow us