Top Hat (Kilworth House Theatre)
Definitely a hidden gem in the Leicestershire countryside is Kilworth House Theatre, in the grounds of the hotel sits a performance space that is covered but, still open to the elements and has been providing top class musical theatre for some years.
Top Hat a stage interpretation of the classic Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie with music and lyrics by the late, great Irving Berlin is the current production and considering I am not normally a fan of shows that are more focused on dance, this one had me enthralled from beginning to end.
Fundamentally a story of mistaken identity as Jerry Travers (played flawlessly in voice and movement by Dan Burton) is mistaken by Dale Tremont (another awesome performance by Lauren Stroud) for the husband of her friend Madge Hardwick (a larger than life and domineering performance from Nia Jermin).
In actual fact Madge is married to Jerry's manager Horace Hardwick (played with comic gusto by Charles Brunton) add to the mix Horace's butler Bates (typical stiff upper lip from Ashley Knight) and an Italian fashion designer who also has designs on Miss Tremont (played impeccably and uproariously by Stephane Anelli), you then have a recipe for musical and movement mayhem.
I found myself constantly alive to the action complemented effortlessly by some ageless dance numbers all under the supreme direction of Stephen Mear and musical direction of Michael England.
When there is a real dependancy on synchronised movement and not just voices and individuals there has to be a multi-talented team to deliver and there is no doubt that such a team has been assembled here, a production that will last in the memory.
Top Hat has unfortunately now finished its run at Kilworth House Theatre but, since I know that productions at this venue are virtually always excellent, keep an eye in the web site for announcements about 2018.
Kilworth House Theatre Web Site
Top Hat a stage interpretation of the classic Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie with music and lyrics by the late, great Irving Berlin is the current production and considering I am not normally a fan of shows that are more focused on dance, this one had me enthralled from beginning to end.
Fundamentally a story of mistaken identity as Jerry Travers (played flawlessly in voice and movement by Dan Burton) is mistaken by Dale Tremont (another awesome performance by Lauren Stroud) for the husband of her friend Madge Hardwick (a larger than life and domineering performance from Nia Jermin).
In actual fact Madge is married to Jerry's manager Horace Hardwick (played with comic gusto by Charles Brunton) add to the mix Horace's butler Bates (typical stiff upper lip from Ashley Knight) and an Italian fashion designer who also has designs on Miss Tremont (played impeccably and uproariously by Stephane Anelli), you then have a recipe for musical and movement mayhem.
I found myself constantly alive to the action complemented effortlessly by some ageless dance numbers all under the supreme direction of Stephen Mear and musical direction of Michael England.
When there is a real dependancy on synchronised movement and not just voices and individuals there has to be a multi-talented team to deliver and there is no doubt that such a team has been assembled here, a production that will last in the memory.
Top Hat has unfortunately now finished its run at Kilworth House Theatre but, since I know that productions at this venue are virtually always excellent, keep an eye in the web site for announcements about 2018.
Kilworth House Theatre Web Site
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