BWW Reviews: SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, Landor Theatre, July 21 2010

I'd never seen Smokey Joe's Cafe before. I knew it had a heck of a run on Broadway, I knew it was a revue-style show, but that was about it. Cast members told me that there's no script, but this new production fashions a storyline and characters.

And so I took my seat in the Landor Theatre - which is pretty much my favourite fringe theatre in the whole world, with the quality of its programming in recent years - and was utterly mesmerised by this original jukebox musical comprising some songs I knew really well, some that I recognised, and some I'd never heard before in my entire life but it didn't seem to matter.

The primary credit must go to MykAl Rand, who as director/choreographer has marshalled together a non-existent book and 39 Leiber and Stoller songs and made a proper show of them - this is tight and energetic, using the small space brilliantly, with some clever, tidy dance routines and stunning harmonies. There's clearly a little bit of budget behind this show, and it's evident in every classy second of it.

The two names above the poster are genuine stars - Steph Fearon will go on to a fine career in musical theatre if she wants it, having been criticised every week on Over The Rainbow for doing nothing more than being her talented self; and Kym Mazelle's legendary vocals are intact and amazing, if slightly underused in tonight's performance. But every single member of the cast gets a moment to shine - Edward Baruwa is the romantic male lead; Miguel Angel gets the 11 o'clock number; Marc Akinfolarin shows a fine range; Ngo Ngofa is sultry; Yaa provides the emotion; Philippa Stefani shows why she should have been cast as Mimi in Rent rather than understudying, and has a great chemistry with Simon Hardwick.

Another hit for the Landor; another tip to transfer. See it soon and don't miss the opportunity to be part of this intimate show.

Smokey Joe's Cafe plays the Landor Theatre until Sunday 15th August