With a title like a Mills and Boon novel and not a single reality-TV reject gracing the cast, The Drowsy Chaperone had its work cut out when it returned to Theatreland this summer. The name up in lights is Elaine Paige, who’s returning to the stage after a seven-year breather. She’s famous for her roles in the original London performances of Cats and Evita – two of the sturdiest industry cash cows - so it’s interesting to see her in a much quirkier, more comical role. Her character is the lusty, boozy chaperone of a Hollywood starlet. The starlet is giving up her sparkling movie career in order to get married and her chaperone is supposed to stop her from seeing the groom on her wedding day.
Cue a great deal of slapstick tomfoolery and an assortment of spectacularly cartoonish stooges including a pair of gangster pastry chefs, a latin lady-killer, a dim-witted groom, a perpetually anxious best man, a confused old maid and her butler and a soul-sister aviatrix. If it sounds like the makings of a farce, that’s because it is – a specifically 1920s farce. The play takes all the classic foibles of musicals of that era and plays them loud and proud. It’s completely character led with each one taking a turn in the limelight with their signature tune. The plot is unabashedly silly, stringing one big song-and-dance number to the next and making no excuses for the flimsy stage-setting. In fact, the audience is invited to revel in the nonsense of it all.
With so much clowning, you might think that there’d be a lack of any real warmth or romance in the play, but the “real life” character of the narrator Man in Chair ties the whole thing together. He’s a middle-aged theatre enthusiast, listening to the soundtrack of this, one of his favourite musicals, in his studio apartment. His quiet, effeminate enthusiasm is completely infectious as he talks the audience through the show, freezing the action for little titbits of Broadway gossip. It’s not surprising that Bob Martin plays “Man in Chair” so well, though, given that he co-wrote the book and played the character in the US too. You’ll fall in love with the loveable agoraphobic to the extent that if you meet Bob Martin you might not be able to resist asking for a big cardigan-ey hug (though he’s probably more of a Ralph Lauren Polo man in real life).
Sara Sha'ath
i went prepared to hate it, but came out loving it.... impossible to explain, you just have to see it!
Posted by: peter | 01/06/2007 at 08:27 PM
Please Go and See this Show!
IF you want an evening of pure entertainment this is it - all singing, all dancing and yet with a narrator that makes the story real and personal.
I urge you to use what ever deals are on and go and see it - absolutely fantastic!
Posted by: Amy | 19/06/2007 at 10:51 PM
Quirky, light but with an edge! (No not like the new Cabaret with its gloom and doom ending!) Thoroughly enjoyable and full of laughs - yes some of it stupid but that's the point. Go see it before it closes - it wasn't very full the night I went. Use whatever discount you can get for a wonderful evening at the theatre.
Posted by: Owen | 21/06/2007 at 01:36 AM
Brilliant show. Have seen it twice, its even funnier second time around. You will leave the theatre with a big smile on your face!
Posted by: judy&steve vezmar | 23/07/2007 at 12:29 AM
One of the best shows I have seen for a long time such a shame it is coming off. The whole cast were excellent. Elaine Page was still able to give a show stopping performance. My opinion is had the seats been priced lower to start with more people would have gone. No one had heard of the this show here so will not pay £65 until word of mouth gets around. Such a shame it is coming off.
Posted by: Chris carder | 31/07/2007 at 12:33 AM
Fantastic show. Loads of talent and laughter. What a pity it is closing. I agree with Chris Carder's comments - too expensive tickets and not enough publicity. Well done lastminute.com - our tickets were £20 each.
Posted by: Hazel Slater | 02/08/2007 at 10:41 AM
I really enjoyed this show it was a musical with a difference, it is a show within a show. Very clever writing. All of the actors/singers were fantastic but Elaine Paige really stood out, she has an amazing voice. The star of the show for me was Steve Pemberton (of The League of Gentlemen fame) he played the man in the chair and he was wonderful, excellent comic timing. It was good to see something a little bit different, it's a shame this run is about to end but I would definitely recommend it.
Posted by: Katie | 02/08/2007 at 11:17 AM