Editor's Blog: "This is what we do for love" - the final performance of A Chorus Line

"THIS IS WHAT WE DO FOR LOVE" were the final worlds Leigh Zimmerman screamed over the standing, cheering audience after the emotional, final performance of the London revival of A Chorus Line at the London Palladium last night (31st August 2013). After the final bows, during which the performing cast members were joined by the swings and understudies, Scarlett Strallen thanked the unsung heroes who worked behind the scenes as well as the front of house crew and the orchestra who played from underneath the stage. 

The microphone was then passed to Leigh Zimmerman who made the very valid point about how incredible it is that the producers decided to put on such an iconic show at such an iconic venue in 2013, as it is simply something which does not happen any more. After opening on Broadway in 1975, A Chorus Line went on to become the longest running Broadway show of all time (until it was surpassed by Cats in 1997). The show requires the entire cast to be ridiculously talented triple threats, something which is now rarely required of an entire cast as theatre-land is slowly invaded by celebrity culture and 'from screen to stage' adaptations (something I am not against if done well). However, how incredible that for six golden months, a 'hardcore' (as I call it) piece of musical theatre played to adoring theatre goers at one of London's oldest, most special theatres. 

When the London revival of A Chorus Line was announced, I must admit I didn't know much about the musical at all, other than that it featured the song 'One Singular Sensation' and was about a group of performers auditioning for a show. But there was so much hype surrounding the show that media night couldn't come sooner. 

Seeing the show for the first time was just sensational, there was so much going on that most of the time I didn't know where to look and I wanted to re-wind certain moments. However, I only gave the show a four star review because I felt it took a slight dip in the middle, I left the Palladium thinking "five stars" but looked through my notes and saw that I wrote "bored" in the middle. Five visits later and I could not disagree with my review anymore. I think I initially had this opinion because I was sat right at the back on the Royal Circle, meaning the faces of the cast were just small circles and I couldn't see any of the emotion or detail. On every subsequent visit I have sat towards the front of the stalls and have been utterly gripped and moved during the middle section during which Gary Wood performs Paul's heart wrenching monologue. It juxtaposes nicely with other parts of the show which are high energy and full out. If only I could go back in time and sit in a better seat I think A Chorus Line would be one of the easiest five stars I have ever given.

I hate the phrase 'it's like marmite' but I can't think of another way to describe A Chorus Line. Everybody I've spoken to has either fallen in love with the show or has just not connected with the piece at all and found it hard to sit through a two hour show with no interval. I think this is due to the fact that A Chorus Line really reaches out to certain people. It doesn't rely on a huge love story or big sets and dazzling costumes (until the final five minutes) and it certainly isn't groundbreaking. It is simply theatrical perfection. A Chorus Line is about why a group of performers do what they do day in and day out. A Chorus Line reaches out to performers who have been to countless auditions as well as to people who have always dreamed of performing... or to those who are easily won over by a bit of Broadway glamour. 

“This show is dedicated to anyone who has ever danced in a chorus or marched in step… anywhere.” Michael Bennet

The cast are just out of this world. Last night Leigh Zimmerman had the audience in stitches throughout and proved that she was worthy of winning the Olivier Award for 'Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical' earlier this year. However, she didn't give the only award winning performance. Victoria Hamilton-Barritt made the perfect Diana, it was always impossible to fault her performances of 'Nothing' and 'What I Did for Love' (for which she was voted fourth place in the West End Frame Award for ‘Best Performance of a Song in a Musical’ in April). There are no words to describe Scarlett Strallen's Cassie (read my review here), 'The Music and the Mirror' was always the highlight of the show for me and last night Scarlett did not hold back one tiny bit. 

Of course A Chorus Line has never been about star names, it is the best ensemble show ever written. Lucy Adcock, Ed Currie, Frances Dee, Harry Francis, Simon Hardwick, Rebecca Herszenhon, James T Lane, Vicki Lee Taylor, Daisy Maywood, Alastair Postlethwaite, Andy Rees, Adam Salter, Alexzandra Sarmiento, Gary Watson and Gary Wood all had their moment to step into the spotlight and gave world class performances every night. Over my five visits I also saw lots of incredible understudies, all of whom would be deserving winners of West End Frame's ‘Understudy of the Year’ Award. Most notably I saw Georgie Ashford give a very emotional performance as Diana, Lucy Jane Adcock shine as Cassie, Harry Francis show off spectacularly as Mike and Gary Watson own the Palladium as Zach. I was also lucky enough to see fantastic performances from Ashley Nottingham as Larry, Marc Leslie as Don, Katy Hands as Connie, Michael Steedon as Mark and Segun Fawole as Richie. 

As I arrived at the Palladium for the final performance I was full of mixed emotions. My two previous visits were meant to be my last, but I just couldn't let go. I was excited as I knew the atmosphere was going to be amazing (which it was) but I also felt very sad that such a wonderful show was about to close. The performance was very special, the audience went wild at every possible moment and after several songs I thought the applause was never going to end. The cast seemed composed although many did understandably shed a few tears throughout. 

The speeches at the end from Scarlett and Leigh were short but beautifully fitting. There are not many shows I could sit through weekly, but I have discovered that A Chorus Line is certainly one of them. Many people have said that this is the last time London will ever see a production of A Chorus Line featuring the original choreography and detail. Therefore I feel nothing short of privileged to have seen this production five times. "Don't cry because it’s over" Leigh said while fighting back the tears "smile because it happened. THIS IS WHAT WE DO FOR LOVE."

Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
andrew@westendframe.com

Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

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