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When I first learnt that Kevin Whately was due to be in Gypsy at the Chichester Festival Theatre I thought how I'd like to go and see him on stage. Then I realised that getting to Chichester by train is not that easy. So I decided it wasn't practical. But then it still sounded like something I'd very much like to see and SM had been talking about having another long weekend, so we decided that we'd drive down and spend a couple of nights in Chichester.
Which was an extremely good decision to make. Gypsy was excellent. The Chichester Festival Theatre is an excellent - far better than we expected, being used to theatres in Cheltenham and Bristol. The theatre has been renewed and is considerably better than a good number of London theatres; much more spacious and the view of the stage, even from in the dress circle was very good.
Kevin Whately, as Herbie, was good, although I wasn't totally taken with his accent. It was lovely to see him on stage, even if I wasn't quite convinced by his character. When you're so used to seeing someone as a certain character - in this case Inspector Lewis - there is perhaps a certain part of your brain that still sees them as that. Imelda Staunton as Momma Rose was superb. She was certainly the star of the show - and deserved the standing ovation she received. I'd heard she was good, but seeing her was amazing. And Lara Pulver was a revelation - she's not an actress I've particularly liked, but here, in her transformation from Louise to Gypsy Rose Lee she was brilliant.
I knew very little of the plot, so was able to enjoy the progression without anticipating what was going to happen. The music and staging were very good - the musicians deserved all the applause and probably more recognition than they were given. I knew I was enjoying the performance, because part way through the second half I could feel the huge smile on my face. So, once again, I'm delighted that the wish to see a particular actor took me somewhere new and gave me much more enjoyment than I had expected.
Which was an extremely good decision to make. Gypsy was excellent. The Chichester Festival Theatre is an excellent - far better than we expected, being used to theatres in Cheltenham and Bristol. The theatre has been renewed and is considerably better than a good number of London theatres; much more spacious and the view of the stage, even from in the dress circle was very good.
Kevin Whately, as Herbie, was good, although I wasn't totally taken with his accent. It was lovely to see him on stage, even if I wasn't quite convinced by his character. When you're so used to seeing someone as a certain character - in this case Inspector Lewis - there is perhaps a certain part of your brain that still sees them as that. Imelda Staunton as Momma Rose was superb. She was certainly the star of the show - and deserved the standing ovation she received. I'd heard she was good, but seeing her was amazing. And Lara Pulver was a revelation - she's not an actress I've particularly liked, but here, in her transformation from Louise to Gypsy Rose Lee she was brilliant.
I knew very little of the plot, so was able to enjoy the progression without anticipating what was going to happen. The music and staging were very good - the musicians deserved all the applause and probably more recognition than they were given. I knew I was enjoying the performance, because part way through the second half I could feel the huge smile on my face. So, once again, I'm delighted that the wish to see a particular actor took me somewhere new and gave me much more enjoyment than I had expected.
