Robert McWhir's revival of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's 1988 musical farce 'Lucky Stiff' got off to an inauspicious start: the first week of performances was cancelled thanks to electrical difficulties. But it was certainly worth the wait.
From the moment the cast burst on to the stage with first number 'Something Funny's Going On' until their triumphant finale, they had us captivated. This exuberant, pacy musical works well in the intimate setting of the Landor, drawing the audience irresistibly and naturally into the drama.
The action takes place in the hedonistic underworld of Monte Carlo and intertwines the stories of highly strung gangster's moll Rita La Porta, earnest dog-lover Annabel Glick and unassuming Englishman Harry Witherspoon.
Mr Witherspoon's uncle, a casino owner in Atlantic City, has died and left him $6 million, but on one bizarre condition – he must take his deceased uncle to Monte Carlo, and painstakingly fulfil his every desire, or else the fortune will pass to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn. That's where the prim Miss Glick comes in. Endearingly portrayed by Abigail Jaye, she stalks him round casinos and bars, waiting for him to slip so the money will go to her beloved dogs.
Spectacularly silly stuff, Lucky Stiff is a joy.