PRETTY WOMAN 2022 REVIEW
SAVOY THEATRE, LONDON
SUNDAY 24TH APRIL @ 2.30PM
4/5 ****
To finish off London theatre week, I’ve got another new show to review. Pretty Woman opened at the Piccadilly Theatre just before lockdown and reopened at the Savoy. Pretty Woman 2022 review is ahead so keep reading!
PRE-SHOW THOUGHTS
I know I’m a 90s baby but I have to admit that I’ve never seen the film. Most romcoms I like are 00s films because I watched them growing up! However, I have listened to the soundtrack of the musical and read up on the plot beforehand. I knew that ex-Six queen Aimie Atkinson and the best Strictly contestant of all time Danny Mac were in the cast so I knew I was in for a great show!
THE MAIN CAST
Yet another London show where I got to see some incredible covers! Obviously, I was sad not to see Atkinson as Vivian but instead, I was treated to a stellar performance from Joanna Woodward. She made Vivian warm and someone you’d want to root for. Woodward was strong yet vulnerable with some of the most powerful vocals I’d seen over the weekend. I’d be surprised if she didn’t get a full-time leading role soon. She didn’t get as many solos as leading ladies often do but I actually preferred that it felt more balanced amongst the cast.
Danny Mac’s Edward isn’t as much as a dick as I assumed he was going to be. It could be because Mac is ultra handsome, charming and talented but he gave Edward a personality. Playing a rich guy is often a difficult role because very few are likeable (on stage and URL) but Mac just played him as a nice guy with a handful of issues.
Also, it’s common knowledge that I think Danny Mac should’ve won the 2016 series of Strictly. He’s the best contestant they’ve ever had and I’m still bitter about it. Unfortunately, Pretty Woman isn’t full of Edward dance numbers so I’d love to see him in something else to show off his moves!
THE SUPPORTING CAST
Rachael Wooding as Kit was a huge highlight. Kit seems like the most fun character to play in the show and whilst she has her faults, she means well. Her friendship with Vivian is hilarious and I’d have loved an extra number between them because female duets aren’t that common in musicals anymore! Wooding’s voice has the most incredible range and power too!
The star of the show for me was Andy Barke covering the Happy Man role for the matinee. He’s basically the narrator but also has a dual role in the show (I won’t spoil it). Barke can sing, dance, act, entertain and humour you all in one scene! His partnership with Alex Charles’ Giulio was unexpected but it’s definitely a highlight.
Neil McDermott’s Philip Stuckey is the villain in the show but I don’t think he gets enough stage time to be a real villain. He’s a bit of a twat but you don’t get to explore his storyline much. I’d love for the production to expand his character a little.
Again, the ensemble carry the show with their incredible dance moves and harmonies as a group. There are quite a few costume changes throughout for them as well as switching roles, from street people to hotel employees, and nobody misses a beat.
THE PRODUCTION
The score is good but not great. It felt like the actors had to do a lot to make the songs a bit more exciting. They don’t necessarily stretch vocally but it does allow for some riffing for the cast to show off!
The same goes for the book. Whilst it’s not bad, it’s not incredible either. Again, the cast do a lot of the legwork to make this show as amazing as it can be. It has a tendency to be a little choppy with the songs expecting to tell the story moreso than the script. Is the storyline of a man changing a woman’s look to be more ‘acceptable’ really appropriate in 2022? Maybe not but it felt very PG and family-friendly.
My favourite part of the production was the set though. The Hollywood backdrop and hotel penthouse set-ups were gorgeous and the staging for the scene at the opera was particularly beautiful. Also, the costuming throughout is superb with each piece designed to fit the scene. There are iconic outfits from the movie featured but they’re given a modern twist for the stage.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Whilst it’s probably not one of my favourite shows I’ve ever seen, I did enjoy my afternoon. The show itself is worthy of 3 stars but the cast deserve an extra star. They’re not given a great deal of script or lyrics to go on so it’s their delivery that really makes this show. I was particularly impressed by the chemistry of the leads as well as the company as a whole. It seems like they have a right laugh on this show and that’s what matters!
Pretty Woman is booking at the Savoy until September 2022 so I’d recommend getting down there if you can. If you enjoyed my Pretty Woman 2022 review, check out my other theatre reviews here. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for more stagey news and adventures. Thanks for joining along on my London theatre week too!
