Pretty Woman, which is directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell with a book by Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton, brings to life the ultimate love story of optimism and finding romance when you least expect it. The story follows Vivian Ward as she is hired by rich businessman Edward Lewis, spending a week in his company and entering a completely foreign world of fortune and functions.
The musical is based on the 1990 film and includes many favourite moments told in this new format, yet audiences will still enjoy themselves with no prior knowledge of the movie. Transferring a well-loved film into a stage musical can often be a challenge, but Pretty Woman executes this well. The music and lyrics (Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance) convey the messages effectively and the songs do not feel forced into the storyline as can sometimes be the case. Whilst the plot is not the most complex and only really develops the two leading characters, it doesn’t fall flat and keeps audiences engaged with every scene and the journey Vivian and Edward go on.
It is impossible not to be awed by Natalie Paris as Vivian’s best friend Kit De Luca. Her powerhouse vocals and limitless energy showcase the musical’s rock score and commands attention. The second act develops Kit’s story, but her talent could be utilised further with more appearances during the show. Another standout performance comes from Ore Oduba as Mr Thompson. He provides comic relief and appears in unexpected roles throughout, and his moments with cheeky bellboy Giulio (Noah Harrison) are at times simply hilarious.
Rebekah Bryant covered Vivian in this performance and captured her perky, direct charm effortlessly. Her performance of I Can’t Go Back is breathtaking. Bryant’s chemistry with Oliver Savile as Edward is strong and the pair’s vocals go stunningly together, shown in their emotional rendition of Long Way Home. Savile’s portrayal of Edward is charming and he beautifully performs the show’s slower and more romantic songs. The talented ensemble create a bustling Hollywood atmosphere, with many having their own characters with a moment to shine.
The production transports audiences to Hollywood, with lighting by Kenneth Posner and Philip S. Rosenberg immersing them in the vibrant, neon city lights and creating a spectacle of colour. The towering sets (David Rockwell) portray the big and busy streets of LA in a creative manner and are effectively used to show changes in location alongside the positioning of the characters. The production is elevated by the spectacular costumes (Tom Rogers), from Vivian’s transformational looks to a showcase of glamour and wonder in the musical number Rodeo Drive. The costumes create a deeper sense of character and contrast the wealthy and the struggling, reflecting social dynamics.
It is clear why this light-hearted production has been so successful and big. HUGE. The well-crafted, loveable characters draw audiences in and leave them satisfied, hopeful, and believing in the power of dreams.
Pretty Woman runs at the Sheffield Lyceum until 28th September - for more information and tickets, you can follow the link here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | photography by Marc Brenner
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