For those that may be unfamiliar with the narrative, Pretty Woman is set in Hollywood where business aficionado Edward (Oliver Saville) hires sex worker Vivian (Amber Davies) as his escort. As the two navigate their new-found relationship, they begin to develop feelings extending beyond their ‘business’ arrangement. With encouragement from best friend Kit (Natalie Paris) and hotel manager Mr Thompson (Ore Oduba), the two solidify a romantic relationship through the course of the production.
The film transfers extremely well to the theatre, and the characters are just as vibrant on the stage as they are on screen. This is largely as a result of the equally compelling script and score. Musically, the show encompasses a range of styles including old Hollywood and rock and roll, paying homage to Tinseltown in a clever way. Memorable songs include the super catchy Luckiest Girl In The World and the spectacular A Night At The Opera (a special mention must go to Lila Falce-Bass for insane operatic vocals here).
Writers Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton are smart to directly capitalise on the success of the 1990 film, as it was highly enjoyable to recognise passages of dialogue lifted directly from the original script. Though, the show never feels like a carbon copy and still manages to be original in its own right.
The main cast and ensemble truly dazzle in this production. Davies is the perfect Vivian, charming and savvy in equal measure and she handles the complex score with ease. There is great chemistry between her and Saville, who is a compelling and ambitious Edward. Comedic value is provided by Noah Harrison as bellboy Giulio, who is outrageously camp and joyous in his performance. Paris and Oduba are also excellent in their roles, and both boast excellent stage presence, making their performances truly captivating and enjoyable to watch. Paris’s vocals and Oduba’s flamboyant dance moves were true standouts of the night for me.
Visually, Pretty Woman is a marvel. Scene changes are slick throughout and no expense has been spared in terms of production values, with impressive set design by David Rockwell and dazzling costumes by Tom Rogers. Although, my only flaw in the production was that choreography did occasionally feel out of place. This was most apparent in one of Vivian’s numbers in the first act where movement felt cumbersome and over choreographed. Though, this is a relatively minor point in what was otherwise a glorious production.
Met with a standing ovation: Pretty Woman is clearly a great night out at the theatre. With a limited run, make sure to get tickets before Saturday 24th August.
4 stars ****
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