Review of The Great British Soap Opera
 | "A funny and witty musical" by Roberto Landi for remotegoat on 12/09/09 |  |
What happens when one of Britain's favourite soap operas is in trouble? What if Manchester's Victoria Square becomes less loved than, say, Albert Square or Coronation Street? Well, simple: you cast Sophie, a scantily clad sexed-up femme fatale from deepest and brightest Surrey, and hope for the best.
Although Pandora-playing Sophie ("society girl to slumdog slut") is a long-term fan of the soap - apparently her father endorsed this passion of hers as it brought her to know a "different culture" - her arrival upsets the delicate equilibrium within the cast with comical consequences. Prima donna Jenny starts to feel threatened, not only professionally as Sophie becomes the nation's favourite, but mainly personally as her secret boyfriend - and brother on set - Josh, will fall for the newly arrived.
We discover that behind the curtain it's not all glitz and glamour and that these people who brighten up our evenings from the small screen are just like us: normal individuals with normal dreams like falling in love; getting married; having their wedding pictures published in Hello! and appearing on Dancing on Ice - who doesn't want that nowadays?
The Great British Soap Opera is perfectly cast, with all the actors being equally talented singers and dancers. They all play their characters (and their character's characters in the soap opera) in a convincing and funny way, with Philippa Buxton and Diana Chrisman delivering top notch performances as rivals Jenny and Sophie. Leon Kay handles well the hunk(ish) - although simple - Josh and his troubled past; while Adam Pritchard delivers a funny and deliberately stereotypical closeted gay Alfie. A special mention also goes to Adam Barlow and Sophia Behn who create great chemistry between Chip, the one who was on the show since he was in nappies, and assistant make-up Emily.
The songs will see you tapping and singing along (if you only knew the lyrics!) especially when it comes to No One's Job is Safe Nowadays, immediately become a sort of personal favourite.
For all lovers of funny and innovative musicals, this is certainly a show not to be missed: witty, well written and well executed, it deserves without doubt a bigger stage and a bigger audience.
| Event Venues & Times | |
| finished | Jermyn Street Theatre | 16b Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6ST |
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