Pretty Woman The Musical is the latest in a stream of West End Smash Hits to make the stage of the Regent Theatre. Much anticipated by local audiences, the wait was justified as the story that is well known from the fabulous film was played out to the delight and appreciation of a packed auditorium and more than deserved its standing ovation.
Edward Lewis (Oliver Savile) is a hard-headed businessman who has just come out of a relationship. On his way to his hotel, he becomes lost and is struggling to cope with an unfamiliar car. Stranded in the red light district he comes across hooker Vivian Ward (Rebekah Bryant) who has been coached in the art of seduction by her mentor Kit De Luca (Natalie Paris).
Ward reels in her target by offering to drive Lewis to the Beverley Wilshire – for a fee. The pair soon hit it off as the client sees something in the street girl that will enhance his ambition to take over the struggling business owned by David Morse (Chomba Taulo). Before long Ward has used her charms to be hired for a full week.
Lewis’ company normally purchases failing companies and – urged on by his lawyer Philip Stuckey (Ben Darcy) – that is the likely outcome to the latest deal but an alternative is on the table. As the unlikely relationship between the two lead characters develops will Edward’s unemotional approach to his business affairs be softened?
Another key member of the cast is Ore Oduba who has two parts to play. As a Happy Man earning a crust on the streets he is a guiding influence on Vivian and he continues to help her- alongside page boy Giulio (Noah Harrison) – as the hotel’s Manager Mr Thompson.
There are probably two real points to make regarding this production. It is highly unlikely that in the 2020s a piece of theatre would have been made that glorifies sex workers and sees them making progress in life. The reality is often far from what is portrayed in Pretty Woman. However, the counter-argument to that is that writer Garry Marshall has created two strong feminist roles as the lead females. Certainly, Vivian reacts vigorously to any attempts to use and abuse her.
Secondly, it would have been so very easy to make this production a jukebox musical packed with hits of the 80s and early 90s. On the contrary, the original score from Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance has some catchy tunes that allow the cast to showcase their vocal talents. Even the iconic title song is held back as long as possible to enable an audience karaoke.
Anywhere But Here and Freedom allow Vivian and Edward to respectively express their feelings; You’re Beautiful is a delightful end to Act 1; A Night at the Opera is beautifully presented: and On A Night Like Tonight is riotously amusing giving the chance to make fun of Odube’s Strictly success.
Odube is the icing on an already delicious cake. It is not only his smooth dancing skills that cause him to shine. His infectious enthusiasm is embraced by the audience and the twinkle in his eye is loved by the onlooker. Savile is perfectly cast as an ice-cold businessman allows his inner warmer self to manifest itself and has a nice chemistry with his female co-star.
Bryant was understudy for her part and did herself proud. She displayed a fine singing voice and to the audience appeared to put on a flawless performance. With Darcy the perfect pantomime villain, Harrison involved in some fine comic cameos and a lively ensemble, this was a theatrical treat and the experience was enhanced by a talented orchestra under the Direction of Griff Johnson and Scenic and Costume Design by David Rockwell and Tom Rogers respectively.
With a feel-good storyline that sticks closely to that of the original film and a score that enhances the drama, Pretty Woman is about as near as you can get to a perfect piece of musical theatre. Pretty Woman is the title but the production is far better than pretty good. It is a toe-tappingly treat of an evening out.
Pretty Woman has a running time of approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including interval and continues at the Regent Theatre until Saturday 30th July. For ticket information contact atgtickets.com/stoke
