Crazy For You, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - review with pictures

And director Paul Hart’s production of the hit musical Crazy for You, which runs at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this week, is guaranteed to delight.

Crazy for You is musical comedy at its biggest, brashest and best. The rather flimsy storyline concerns a privileged young banker, Bobby Child, who is sent to close down a theatre in the one-horse town of Dead Rock in Nevada, but ends up saving it instead, while of course falling in love with the owner’s daughter, and singing and dancing his way to happiness.

Flimsy it may be, but this show benefits from rip-roaring ensemble numbers, laugh out loud comedy moments and Strictly Come Dancing winner Tom Chambers’ taptastic feet; not forgetting a superbly talented cast of actors and musicians along the way to compensate.

This is the latest in a short line of shows where the performers play musical instruments live on stage. The best example of this was Chess back in 2010, which worked perfectly, but I am not so sure about the productions which followed.

The instruments did hinder the choreography and I found myself wondering why a cowboy is playing a trumpet or a chorus girl is playing the violin, or in fact if the number would have been significantly improved without the eye being drawn to the instrument rather than the performer.

For those of you, me included, who know this show really well and love the original, you might be disappointed that there is no car trick where a stream of beautiful tap dancers exit the vehicle in a seamlessly never-ending line - as well as the general simplification of the choreography throughout the show.

It should be viewed as a completely different adaptation with brand new additions which are not only interesting, but highly entertaining too.

Tom Chambers lead this hard-working cast that presented slick, fine-tuned performances as well as excellent comic timing and vocal skills.

Tom's tap solos were of course highlights of the show, delighting fans and first timers alike.

His physical comedy skills, timing, and the warmth he brings to his portrayal of Bobby were pitched perfectly resulting in a first-class performance.

Claire Sweeney was wonderfully feisty and robust as Irene and was without doubt the best performer in this role I have seen so far. Added to that, her solo Naughty Baby, brought the house down.

This versatile actress never fails to deliver.

Neil Ditt as Bela Zangler had perfect comic timing and certainly knew how to work the audience, while there were great cameo performances from Arthur Boan as Custus and Seren Sandham-Davies as Patsy.

But there is no doubt that the evening really belonged to the superb Charlotte Wakefield as Polly, whose West End worthy vocals, gutsy and enchanting portrayal of her character, exceptional dance technique and larger than life personality filled onlookers' hearts with delight.

The scenery was simple but effective and very unobtrusive as the cast moved it very cleverly to depict New York and then the desert town of Dead Rock, while Howard Hudson’s lighting design provided contrasting atmospheres.

The score of Crazy for You is splendid and includes the unforgettable Gershwin brothers’ standards Someone to Watch Over Me, I’ve Got Rhythm, Slap that Base, But Not for Me, I Can’t Be Bothered Now and Embraceable You among many more. These are songs that although were written way back in the 1930’s will remain in your heart for ever.

All in all, a highly entertaining and very different updated version of an old classic.

Who Could Ask for Anything More?

For tickets call 01902 429212 or visit grandtheatre.co.uk

Runs until Saturday.