West Side Story

at Sadler's Wells

It is difficult to know where to start when writing about a show like this, thought by many people to be the best musical of the twentieth century. At the least it is an iconic piece, full of wonderful songs and memorable lines. Astonishingly, this is the 50th anniversary tour of this period piece, featuring such unfashionable topics as gang culture, racism and knife crime. Some things don't change. But the first fear was swiftly disposed of; this is a production to set beside the famous film; it is, arguable better in a number of ways.

The design is perhaps the least original feature; the familiar ladders of the New York fire escapes familiar from the film and countless productions. It works, but it is quite slow and old fashioned. But the production is barely a minute old when you realise that the dancing here (well, we were at Sadler's Wells) was quite fantastic. Sharp, quick and very modern. The singing was more modern as well., with Ryan Silverman as Tony and Sofia Escobar as Maria both fantastic, as was the orchestra. I was particularly impressed with the way in which Maria, so young no more than a child in the first half is a woman by the end. And for a tiny scrap of a girl, a fabulous voice.

I haven't re-watched the film to check, but there were some features I certainly don't remember. The overt racism was quite shocking; not just from the Jets but from the police as well. And the scene deep in the second half when Anita tries to get a message to Tony and is prevented by the Jets - You're too dark to go in here and is then gang raped.... This is all together darker and edgier than I recall. You believe in these gangs, because of the racial element and you believe that Tony and Bernardo hate each other. Only Doc rises above the mayhem, disgusted at them all.

The set pieces were what you would expect - stunning. America is funny and sassy (although the words could have been clearer) Officer Krupke hysterical, When you're a Jet vibrant and full of fifties spirit. But the tear jerkers work well. My favourite, almost the end of the first half, as the gangs prepare for violence (There's going to be a rumble) the girls await their men and Tony and Maria rise their Tonight above everyone else, a song of hopeless optimism, an impossible dream that doesn't even last the night. There's a Place for us, set in a different world, with everyone in white was magical an almost hopeful scene, but all too soon its reprise is a swiftly terminated duo and Tony dies in Maria's arms.

This was an exhilarating production, superbly choreographed, designed and sung for today, not looking back on the triumphs of its first 50 years. This West Side Story had a lot to tell us about today, and, perhaps sadly, I can' see it losing its relevance soon.

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