Review: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy Theatre

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels 
Savoy Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 18th November 2014

★★★★

It just keeps getting better and better! I loved Dirty Rotten Scoundrels when it first opened, but eight months later it is slicker and funnier than ever. Set in the French Riviera, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels follows two conmen as they go head to head to pull off their biggest con, whilst fighting for the affections of millionaire soap heiress Christine Colgate.

Editor's Blog: Changes to Cats, improvements at Scoundrels & excitement about Kids Week

Yesterday (Monday 7th July), Andrew Lloyd Webber officially launched the West End revival of Cats which opens in December. 

Cats will run at the London Palladium between Saturday 6th December 2014 and Saturday 28th February 2015. The revival will see the original creative team, including Director Trevor Nunn, Associate Director and Choreographer Gillian Lynne, Designer John Napier and Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, reunited.

Discussing the show's return at yesterday's press launch, Lloyd Webber explained, "The four of us have been discussing looking at Cats again for what must be about a year. We wanted to rework the material and examine the show which really, literally changed our lives. Then I found we had this extraordinary opportunity over Christmas at the Palladium!"

Lloyd Webber is currently in the process of re-writing the music for two of T. S. Eliot's iconic poems which will see the Rum Tum Tugger transformed. Speaking about the changes and revisions to producer David Ian during the Q&A section of the launch, Lloyd Webber said, "I never was very happy with 'Growltiger's Last Stand'. It was never my favourite moment in the show, I have to admit, because I thought I got it a bit wrong - so I've completely rewritten that!"

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels confirms extension

It has been confirmed that Jerry Mitchell’s production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has extended its run at the Savoy Theatre until Saturday 7th March 2015. 

Robert Lindsay, Rufus Hound and Katherine Kingsley will continue to star as Lawrence Jameson, Freddy Benson and Christine Colgate throughout the new booking period. 

Sir Howard Panter (ATG’s Joint CEO and Creative Director) said: “We are thrilled with the audience and critical reaction to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Night after night packed houses raise the roof with laughter and leap to their feet with applause for this new musical comedy. We have found the perfect home for this production in the lavish Savoy Theatre, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has truly become the night out for theatregoers.”

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels extends to March 2015

According to The Daily Mail, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is extending its West End run at the Savoy Theatre until 7th March 2015. 

Robert Lindsay, Rufus Hound, Samantha Bond, John Marquez and Katherine Kingsley star in Jerry Mitchell's production. The show is based on the legendary 1988 film which famously starred Michael Caine and Steve Martin. 

The musical premiered on Broadway in 2005 but has since been reconceived and reimagined for British audiences.

Review: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy Theatre

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Savoy Theatre

Reviewed on Saturday 29th March 2014

Filling the gap left behind by Singin' In The Rain and Top Hat, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels feels like a timeless classic, despite only receiving its first run ten years ago. This is not only down to the warm humour and elegant style, but also as the entire show is so slick - it's as if Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has been running in the West End for years.

The production's director and choreographer, Jerry Mitchell must be commended. He insisted the show had a thorough tech period and two Broadway style out of town tryouts which has clearly benefited the production hugely as every detail is polished and fine-tuned.

Set in the French Riviera, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels follows two conmen as they go head to head to pull off their biggest con, whilst fighting for the affections of millionaire soap heiress Christine Colgate.

Funnily enough, at times Dirty Rotten Scoundrels reminded me of Mitchell's most recent West End production, Legally Blonde (which I adored). Both shows are American but behold a British charm. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels works a treat with British audiences. Sadly I didn't see the show on Broadway, but I suspect Mitchell has injected British appeal into the show. He certainly deserves several awards for his terrific direction and divine choreography.

Interview: Jerry Mitchell & Katherine Kingsley

Yesterday press were given a sneak peek at the West End premiere of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which opens at the Savoy Theatre in March following two short regional runs in Manchester and Aylesbury. 

After watching the cast perform four terrific numbers from the show, I sat down with Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ Director and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell (pictured right) and leading lady Katherine Kingsley to discuss the amazing high energy rehearsal room vibe, Katherine’s big number ‘Here I Am’ and why Jerry, who also choreographed the Broadway production in 2005, thinks the musical is most suited to British audiences.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which also stars Robert Lindsay, Rufus Hound, Samantha Bond and John Marquez, is the inaugural production for Jerry Mitchell Productions.

Jerry Mitchell is currently one of the greatest Director/Choreographer in the world, recently winning a Tony Award for choreographing Kinky Boots on Broadway. He made his Broadway and West End debuts as Director and Choreographer of the Olivier award winning Legally Blonde the Musical. His other credits as a choreographer include: the Broadway productions of Catch Me If You Can, Gypsy, The Rocky Horror Show and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and the West End productions of Love Never Dies, La Cage aux Folles (winning Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics’ Circle Awards), Hairspray and The Full Monty.

Katherine Kingsley (pictured left) most recent starred as Helena alongside Sheridan Smith and David Walliams in Michael Grandage’s production of A Midsummer Nightʼs Dream (Noel Coward) and played Lina Lamont in Singinʼ In The Rain (Chichester Festival /Palace) for which she was nominated for the 2012 Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

Just a few of her other theatre credits include: Relative Values (Bath Theatre Royal), The 24 Hour Musical Celebrity Gala (Old Vic), Heart To Heart (Minerva, Chichester), The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee (Donmar), Aspects Of Love (Menier), The 39 Steps (Liverpool Playhouse/UK Tour), Piaf! (Donmar/Vaudeville, nominated for 2009 Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical) and High Society (Shaftesbury).

I loved the preview performance, the show is really taking shape! How are you feeling?

KK: It was great! It was a daunting thing to do!

JM: It was very good, if only I could get that John Marquez to get it together, I don’t know what to do with him!

KK: I know, that John Marquez is being a real diva [both laugh].

Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Noël Coward Theatre

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Noël Coward Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 3rd October 2013

Lysander loves Hermia and Hermia loves Lysander. Helena loves Demetrius, Demetrius used to love Helena but now loves Hermia… yes it’s safe to say that we are all familiar with the story of Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream; London has seen countless productions over the years. However, this production, which is the latest play in Michael Grandage’s West End season at the Noël Coward Theatre, is certainly one of my favourites.

The new interpretation is very sexy and musically driven in places while certain sections have been cut, resulting in a speedy running time of two hours and twenty minutes. While this may disappoint traditionalists, it makes this incredible production perfect for Shakespeare newbies as the pace rarely slows.

Michael Grandage’s star-studded season has so far seen the likes of Daniel Radcliffe, Judi Dench, Ben Whishaw and Simon Russell Beale take to the stage, and for A Midsummer Night’s Dream the Queen of the West End, Sheridan Smith (who I have often described as the walking definition of the world versatile) has returned to her throne in another completely different role. It is interesting to see the star take on Titania, having previously played Hermia at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Needless to say Sheridan’s portrayal cannot be faulted, even when she lay still on a platform throughout a couple of scenes I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She is a performer who puts her all into every aspect of her performance, there really is nothing she cannot do.