Last November musical theatre fans mourned the loss of Steven Sondheim, his music and lyrics favourites in cabaret clubs and theatres around the world, writes Christopher Peacock…
The Southwark Playhouse now plays host to Anyone Can Whistle. One of his earlier works, it was only the third show where he wrote both the music and lyrics.
Arthur Laurents’ book is the story of a small American town whose morally corrupt mayor, Cora Hoover Hooper, in a bid to generate more revenue from tourism, gets her team to stage a fake miracle.
When the news of this miracle gets out they receive a visit from Nurse Fay Apple and her patients from the Cookie Jar, the local insane asylum. Along with a visit from a mysterious Dr Hapgood from out of town, the line between who is insane and who isn’t is questioned and blurred.
Confusing, barmy, and hard to follow, the story doesn’t do justice to carry the songs that have independently gone on to become a part of the celebrated canon of Sondheim.
Secondary storylines get lost and although the notion of visiting the sites of miracles may seem timeless, this show is very dated.
Production decisions from director Georgie Rankcom and Set and Costume designer Cory Shipp are certainly bold if misjudged. The show is staged in the traverse with the audience divided on either side of a thin strip of stage resulting in songs being delivered to only half the audience at any given time.
Highly coloured costumes, along with the lighting design, attempt to evoke the 60s but don’t enhance the production.
A very bright performance from Chrystine Symone as Nurse Fay is the highlight of the cast, even when her character disguises herself as a French vamp Miracle Inspector. Alex Young, as the Mayor, valiantly attempts to carry the show’s comedy with some success.
A Broadway flop back in 1964 when the show only made it to 9 full performances before negative reviews resulted in the end of the production’s run.
Few have attempted to resurrect this curiosity from Broadway’s past and this attempt will not be to everyone’s taste.
However, those fans of Sondheim’s music will certainly enjoy seeing There Won’t Be Trumpets, Anyone Can Whistle, and Everybody Says Don’t performed in their original context.
Southwark Playhouse, 77-85 Newington Causeway, Elephant & Castle, SE1 6BD until 7th May. Times: Mon-Sat @ 7.30pm; Tues and Sat mats @ 3pm. Admission: £27.50 / £22 concessions
Box office: 020 7407 0234 – https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show-whats-on/anyone-can-whistle