The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Presents:
Saturday Night Fever
Tuesday 17th - Saturday 23rd March 2014
It would have been so easy to have made Saturday Night fever into a Bee Gees tribute night of disco nostalgia and cheesy dance routines. Ryan McBryde, however, has creatively directed the musical with the focus on the dark reality youngsters had to face of living in the 1970s USA recession with disco offering the only escape.
The musical revolves around the protagonist Tony Manero’s (Danny Bayne) struggle to come to terms with his identity and purpose as he continues to hold down his dead end job at the paint store, support his family and hang around the streets of Brooklyn with his gang. Disco is Tony’s savior, he lives for the thrill of the dance floor at the Odyssey Club and sweeps everyone off their feet with his immense talent and confidence (the ladies even more so). Meeting the driven and intellectual fellow dancer Stephanie (Naomi Slights) changes Tony’s perception on where his life should lead for the better and he comes to terms with disco being an illusion. The path to self progression and enlightenment for Tony means leaving his old life behind, a big step to take for any youngster.
For those that are fans of the original film have no fear as most of the dialogue and characters from the film has been kept the same to stay true to the film’s original charm. In addition to this, the lyrics and music from the Bee Gees’ hit songs do narrate the musical and are accompanied by energetic contemporary choreography by Andrew Wright with some of those familiar night fever moves effortlessly incorporated. It must be noted that the songs are arranged so uniquely that often some phrases are unrecognisable from their original versions but this works incredibly well to achieve strong emotional scenes. Short phrases of the popular hit “Stayin Alive”, for instance, are used throughout between scene changes to depict the gritty atmosphere of the scenes of Tony’s home and work life. The multi-talented cast perform songs accappella and with full instrumentation as they themselves are the band! For example,“Jive Talkin’” is performed by Tony and his gang with an acoustic guitar, cajon and rhythmic dancing to provide the music in one scene, in contrast to the full band (most of whom are dancing complex routines at the same time) complete with flawless vocals from the club singer (Cici Howells) at the Odyssey Club.
The staging of this musical is to be highly praised with its slick scene changes with minimal set to really allow the focus on the story and keep up the pace. Visually stunning lighting perfectly set the mood throughout and projected onto the set to give it the detail needed for: naturalistic scenery, the signage for each place setting, creative scene transitions (train window animation for example) and of course to set the disco party atmosphere full of energy and excitement.
Danny Bayne’s portrayal of Tony Manero is well rehearsed having just returned from the US tour of Saturday Night Fever and it really shows. He renders a convincing male chauvinistic character with all the confidence of Travolta and yet has an underlying vulnerability that is very endearing to watch. His skill as a dancer is completely engaging, flawless and very exciting to watch.
The balance of light and shade in the story is staged perfectly as the audience can really understand Tony’s struggle as well as enjoy the attention grabbing variety of music throughout performed by a magnificent cast. Although some scenes dipped a little in pace, this was more than made up for in the disco/dance scenes which required a high voltage of energy where the cast truly excelled. The explosive disco medley finale finishes off the show in style getting the majority of the audience on their feet to join in. In conclusion, this show provides a very enjoyable evening for all and you will be guaranteed to be dancing your way out of the theatre (and even practicing the moves at home!).
Review by Nathalie Colen
SHOW NOTES:
SHOW NOTES:
Produced by Theatre Royal Bath Productions in association with the Robert Stigwood Organisation this brand new production of one of the most loved dance stories of all time. It features a twenty-strong cast of hugely talented actor-musicians and is packed full of legendary hits from the Bee Gees including the classics Stayin’ Alive, Night Fever, Jive Talking, How Deep is Your Love? and You Should Be Dancing.
The date is 1976 and in New York, Tony Manero, a young man from a tough Brooklyn neighbourhood with a dead-end job and an extraordinary ability to dance, has only one ambition in life - to become the disco king. Every Saturday night, Tony dons his flares and hits the dance floor, creating a stir as he wows the crowds with his phenomenal moves and routines. When he meets Stephanie, who also dreams of a world beyond Brooklyn, and they decide to train together for a dance competition, their lives begin to change forever.
The smash hit 1977 film of Saturday Night Fever starring Oscar-nominee John Travolta inspired the definitive soundtrack by the Bee Gees and popularised disco around the world. The multi Grammy Award-winning music behind the film, combined with its gripping storyline captured the imagination of millions.
The role of Tony Manero is played by Danny Bayne, who made his West End debut as Danny Zuko in the musical Grease at London’s Piccadilly Theatre after winning ITV’s Grease is the Word. He starred in the West End for two years and performed the role on tour. He returns to the role of Tony Manero after touring the US in Saturday Night Fever. A talented dancer, he has achieved the status of British Champion in Freestyle, Hip Hop, Latin American and Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Naomi Slights plays the role of Stephanie. Her credits include Mamma Mia! in the West End, 20th Century Boy on UK Tour, Thank You For The Music at Hyde Park, and she returns to the role of Stephanie after starring in Saturday Night Fever at Frankfurt’s English Theatre.
Andrew Wright won Best Choreographer at the WhatsOnStage Awards 2013 for his choreography of the West End production of Singin’ in the Rain. He was also nominated for Best Choreographer at the 2012 Olivier Awards and the 2011 Broadway World Awards. Earlier this year, he choreographed the UK Tour of Barnum starring Brian Conley, and the UK tour of Betty Blue Eyes. He co-choreographed Guys and Dolls at Chichester alongside Carlos Acosta; and his award-winning choreography on Singin' In The Rain has been seen nationwide on tour.
Director Ryan McBryde has worked extensively in the UK and Europe. His previous productions range from the RSC’s 50th Anniversary Gala to the German premieres of the musicals Spring Awakening and The Full Monty. He directed Saturday Night Fever for Frankfurt’s English Theatre. He also directed the European tour of The Who’s Tommy; he was Resident Director for the West End musical Billy Elliot; and his production of Hamlet! The Musical at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate and Richmond Theatre, won the WhatsOnStage Theatregoers' Choice Award.
Co-producer Robert Stigwood is one of the world’s leading impresarios and entertainment entrepreneurs, whose stage shows have included Hair, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar, and whose phenomenally successful films have included Grease and Saturday Night Fever.
In 2011, Theatre Royal Bath Productions (TRBP) presented the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Avenue Q on its first UK tour, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh. This Autumn TRBP have produced Hay Fever starring Felicity Kendal, currently on tour in Australia and Lindsay Lohan’s West End debut in Speed-the-Plow.
Tickets are available on www.atgtickets.com.birmingham or on 0844 871 3011
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