Theatre South East

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Directed by multi Tony and Olivier award winner Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Love Never Dies, Kinky Boots)Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is set on the lavish French Riviera.

The story centres around Lawrence Robert Lindsay (Me and My Girl, Oliver, My Family) a soave smooth talking con-man who spends the season swindling heiresses out of their fortunes until along comes Freddy played by, Rufus Hound (One Man Two Governors and numerous TV shows). Rufus is the new man on the scene who wants Lawrence to teach him everything he knows. Things change however when Christine Colgate Kat Kingsley (Singing’ in the Rain, Relative Values) arrives in town and they make a wager that the first of them to con her out of £50.000 gets full run of the Riveria to themselves.

Lots of twists, turns and shenanigans later we are chortling away, comedy at it’s best.

The casting is absolutely perfect. There isn’t a weak link in my opinion. The ever-dashing Robert Lindsey is soave and dapper as the swindling Lawrence, a true professional in EVERY sense of the word. Rufus Hound is a hoot to watch, who’d have thought he could sing and dance so well! He needs to stay away from cheesy gameshows. Such a lovely guy, the sort of person you really want to hang around with. Katherine Kingsley, pretty, talented, she belted out her songs ‘Here I am’ is now one of my particular favourites. Samantha Bond who plays Muriel Eubanks, a love hungry heiress, was absolutely mind-blowing! This multi talented lady is incredible. John Marquez and Lizzy Connolly are also perfect casting.

These are all supported by the most amazing and talented ensemble with endless energy and smiles. They all look as though they are having a blast on the stage and it was great to hear from ensemble member Ian Knauer after the show that they really are as close knit as they look. I love the way the actors interact with the audience, so refreshing and natural. The actors seem to have such fun and admit that no two productions are the same depending on the audience’s reactions.

The script written by Jeffrey Lane is hilarious and deliciously naughty at times. The set and costume design is bright, colourful and lifts the mood to great heights. There are some very catchy numbers written by David Yazbek which stick in your mind, which I find unusual nowadays, and yes…today I bought the CD, not this cast unfortunately but I hope a London cast recording is forthcoming.

Having gushed for so long, I would say this is definitely not the show for the ‘serious’ theatre goer who likes to be moved or challenged by a performance. There is nothing deep or emotional about this show but if you need a pick-me-up I recommend you pop along to the Savoy Theatre, and enjoy this musical for what it is…Fun, nothing more. I haven’t seen a musical like this for a while, where the only drama is slapstick and the only sad feelings you get are when the final curtain comes down

The first big number in the show is called ‘Give them what they want’ – they certainly do.

 

Website
http://www.scoundrelswestend.com/
A comprehensive website so that’s pretty well all you need to know 🙂

  www.facebook.com/ScoundrelsUK

Follow @ScoundrelsUK

 

Don’t Take MY word for it, here are what other people said….

OfficialTheatre.com

Whats-on-London
Londontheatre1
The Theatre Tourist

Please let me know of anymore reviews and I shall add them when I can.

Feel free to ask questions or leave comments 😀

You can find out more about my wonderful night at the Digital Press Night of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels here

 

 Playing at the Savoy Theatre, The Strand, London WC2R 0ET– currently booking until Mar 2015.
Performances are 7.30pm each evening except Sunday.
Matinees 3.00pm Thursday and Saturday.
Nearest tube Charing Cross
Best bus from Victoria Train Station, Number 11