Crazy for You Youth Review 4

Apr 10 2018 | By More

★★★★☆    Exciting energy

Edinburgh Playhouse: Tue 3 – Sat 7 April 2018
Youth review by Lydia Leneghan.

This charming 1930s musical makes a dazzling return to the stage with an electrifying performance.

Running until April 7 at the Edinburgh Playhouse, Crazy for You stars Tom Chambers as Bobby Child, a theatre loving romantic who can’t seem to catch a break, and who’s in a loveless relationship with his fiery fiancé Irene, played by Claire Sweeney.

Charlotte Wakefield. Pic: Richard Davenport.

When Bobby is sent to Nevada to shut down a theatre on behalf of the bank he works for, he finds himself in a whirlwind romance with the spirited Polly Baker (Charlotte Wakefield), a lively and passionate woman who won’t let the theatre be taken without a fight (and a song).

Colourful, vivacious, and gloriously romantic, Crazy for You encapsulates a 1930s magic and provides an extravagant escape from ordinary life. The performances are fearless and captivating, and energy pours from the characters.



All of the music played is performed live on stage, often from the characters themselves! This provides a constant feeling of movement which, paired with spontaneous dance sequences and slapstick humour, results in an electrifying show.

A constant fog of smoke bathes the stage in dreaminess. This, combined with a recurring wash of deep blue lighting, provides a surreal romantic experience. Indeed, the multiple love affairs throughout are instant, exaggerated and all consuming. They belong in the realm of theatre and fantasy. Crazy for You overemphasises reality in an abundance of colours, highlighting the romance in the brightest of inks. In fact, the show completely centres around romance; it oozes from its every pore.

captivates

Claire Sweeney’s part as Bobby’s fiancé, Irene, is comical but surprising short, considering the amount of advertising that revolved around her. The real star of the show is Charlotte Wakefield, who captivates the audience with her striking voice and fierce, intriguing portrayal of Polly Baker.

Not everyone’s voice is as distinguishable though, and at times it is a struggle to make out the lyrics, particularly during Tom Chambers’ songs which he sings in a thick American accent. However, his acting performance makes up for it with his hilarious portrayal of Bobby Child, a loveable idiot with a big heart and big dreams.

Another notable performer is Seren Sandham Davis, who plays Patsy, a sweet, foolish showgirl. Dressed in bright yellow, she brings a quirky, childlike playfulness to the show and is wonderfully charming.

Undoubtedly, all of the showgirls are dazzling, and bring a certain 1930s American glamour to rainy Edinburgh with their sparking blue dresses and animated dance routines.

Crazy for You will whisk you away to a whimsical place filled with intense romance, impromptu dance and wacky comedy. In the words of the song, Who could ask for anything more?

Running time: two hours and 25 minutes (including one interval)
Seen at Edinburgh Playhouse, 18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA.
Crazy for You is on tour through to June 2018.

This junior review by Lydia Leneghan was an entry in the Edinburgh Playhouse young reviews scheme, April 2018.

Crazy for You on tour:
3 – 7 April 2018 Edinburgh
Playhouse
0844 871 3014 Book online
10 – 14 April 2018 Bradford
The Alhambra Theatre
01274 432000 Book online
24 – 28 April 2018 Sunderland
Empire
0844 871 3022 Book online
1 – 5 May 2018 Swansea
Grand Theatre
01792 475 715 Book online
8 – 12 May 2018 Wolverhampton
Grand Theatre
01902 429 212 Book online
15 – 19 May 2018 Woking
New Victoria Theatre
0844 871 7645 Book online
29 May – 2 June 2018 Brighton
Theatre Royal
0844 871 7650 Book online
4 – 9 June 2018 Leicester
Curve
0116 242 3595 Book online

ENDS

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  1. Young Reviewers Winners : All Edinburgh Theatre.com | Apr 10 2018