Review: FUNNY GIRL, Bristol Hippodrome

"I'm the greatest star, I am by far, but no one knows it" is the claim made by aspiring vaudeville show actress Fanny Brice (Sheridan Smith) at the top of Funny Girl. Fanny is no ordinary showgirl however - no "Miss Atlantic City". Her gift is to use that backstreet Brooklyn wit on the stage and tear up the rulebook set by the shows' impresarios. The long legs and headdresses of the other girls won't daunt her; she has a steely determination to make her own way.

Within the confines of a wonky proscenium arch-shaped set we watch the rise and rise of Fanny Brice - from child prodigy to the main attraction. But as with all fame, it comes at a cost. Nowadays we're used to seeing the trials and tribulations of the rich and famous played out in public, but this 1963 musical does a wonderful job of playing it in private.

Several of the best moments come when the stage is emptied and director Michael Mayer leaves Smith on her own. Sometimes sat perched behind her dressing table, sometimes out front. Her delivery of numbers like "People" reminds us of the more introspective nature of these most famous of songs. Her unadulterated joy of breaking free is infectious during Act One closer "Don't Rain On My Parade".

Fanny, in less skilful hands, could be a caricature, and perhaps a more decadent leading lady would indulge the big numbers. Thankfully there is not a jot of this from the superb Smith. She achieves the perfect balance between public persona and private fragility. Her transformation from wide-eyed teenager to experienced star is a joy to watch. She captures beautifully the awkward juxtaposition of being loved on stage by thousands and being sat alone moments later.

Chris Peluso plays her absentee gambler boyfriend Nick Arnstein with equal parts smugness and charm. Their relationship is something of a seesaw - when they first meet he is the big deal, the man with the money and the contacts. Soon, like most gamblers, he loses more than he wins and the balance shifts as Fanny's star eclipses his.

The show's ensemble works hard to represent the whirlwind of show business, and the routines from the musical halls are genuinely funny. A mention too for Brice's family, who have wonderful warmth from their humble beginnings in Brooklyn. In truth, though, the show belongs to Smith. Just like her character, she is the greatest star.

Funny Girl at Bristol Hippodrome until 25 March

Photo credit: Johan Persson

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