Review: Do I Hear A Waltz? at the Park Theatre

Do I Hear A Waltz? 

Park Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 6th March 2014

Do I Hear A Waltz is a disastrous musical about a disastrous holiday romance. On paper you might think a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents would be delightful, but sadly it seems this romantic comedy is rarely performed for a reason.

Guest Blog: Philip Lee - Do I Hear A Waltz?

Philip Lee writes a Guest Blog for West End Frame about starring in the Park Theatre's first musical, Do I Hear A Waltz?...

Philip Lee

Working on Do I Hear A Waltz? has been a real labour of love for me. Like most people, beyond being vaguely familiar with the title, I did not know anything about the music or plot before I began working on it and discovering the score and the beautiful music inside has been a real joy. I really couldn't wait to start. 

For me it was Rodgers' music that was the initial attraction of the piece. The story is difficult to summarise well and the characters can appear, at first glance, unsympathetic in a synopsis but the music though immediately stands on its own as up there with Rodgers' best. It can be sweeping and romantic, as you would expect, and in turn complex and full of character when required.

I think that I have been particularly fortunate with the music as my character Renato Di Rossi sings the type of big ballads, characteristic of Rodgers' work, that really are a pleasure to perform - although in this piece a couple of them, noticeably 'Stay', do have a remarkably modern feel. If it has been a labour (of love of course) to rehearse these songs at all it is where some of the music has been written with a specific voice in mind. Sergio Franchi who played the original Di Rossi was a classical tenor but also had a good baritone range and a strong falsetto. The song 'Bargaining' for example was composed specifically to show off all of these qualities and so is quite a challenge for any other singer!