BWW Reviews: TOP HAT, Manchester Opera House, February 10 2015

After wowing crowds and the Olivier Award judges, Top Hat is touring the country bringing its infectious enthusiasm and the spirit of Fred Astaire around the country. Manchester's Opera House theatre hosted the latest leg of this affectionate adaption of irving Berlin's 1935 film staring Astaire and his long time collaborator Ginger Rogers.

Top Hat is like settling in to a warm bath - unashamedly enjoyable. Its plot is simple, its humour uncomplicated and its musical numbers all singing, all dancing hits.

Alan Burkitt is Jerry Travers - Broadway star wooed to the West End by producer and lothario Horace Hardwick (Clive Hayward). When he falls for fashionista Dale Tremont (Charlotte Gooch), his attempts to woo her put in place a series of misunderstandings and mistaken identities which seem set to destroy multiple marriages and Travers' chance of finally settling down. The plot is silly and a standard farce, but eventually its relentless charm beats you down and you can't help but laugh at the cheesy one liners and the slapstick comedy.

Irving Berlin's songs are timeless; Putting On The Ritz, I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket, Cheek to Cheek and Lets Face the Music and Dance are delightful to see live, particularly with support of Jae Alexander's excellent orchestra. This shows the importance of a real big band for really improving the quality of touring musicals.

Charlotte Gooch really impresses as the leading lady, her comic timing and physical stage presence steals the show from her dancing partner. Clive Haywood and Rebecca Thornhill as the unhappily married couple Horace and Marge also impress and John Conroy provides entertaining comic relief as the Jeeves-esque valet Biggs.

There is stellar support from the singing and dancing ensemble and mention must be made of Jon Morrell's fabulous costumes - stars of the show in their own right and Hildegard Betcheler's delightful 1930s art deco set.

If this Manchester crowd's reaction is anything to go by, the great American songbook is still setting the standards for all other musicals to follow. Top Hat is a silly, gentle, wonderful show that will have you humming and tapping all the way home.

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