Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Musical

When a classic comedy such as Dirty Rotten Scoundrels gets a theatrical makeover, the film-lovers alarm bell start to ring. In an overcrowded West End life can be unkind to theatrical productions so even with a successful Broadway run under it’s belt, the London cast know they’ve got to win us over with all the charm and glitter of the swindlers at the heart of the show.

Curtains up on the French Riviera and we’re introduced to its seedier criminal underworld where two conmen compete for the prize of 'working' the town.
There can be only one and to reap the spoils a target is chosen and the battle commences.

In the lead role, played by Sir Michael Caine in the film version, we have three time Olivier and Tony Award winner Robert Lindsay (My Family, Me And My Girl, Becket, Oliver!) whose elegant portrayal of Lawrence Jameson lost none of the panache of the original. Feeding off a sublime cast, Lindsay seems at ease in the role of debonair charmer and references to previous roles "I'm a dentist" winning favor with the audience.

The show doesn’t try to break new ground, much of the music is reminiscent of Cole Porter greats and the comedy is often barely a step away from old music hall traditions. But here lies its charm, and every scene and song is delivered with passion and vocal prowess that propels the story forwards.

Rufus Hound as Freddy Benson brings flashes of Steve Martin brilliance to mind and praise should be heaped equally on Katherine Kingsley, Samantha Bond and John Marquez for exquisite performances.

The Savoy theatre itself is a pleasure to behold and now in its one hundred and thirty third year it's hard to imagine it ever looking better, although the night it became the first public building in the world to be lit by incandescent electric lights must have been pretty special.

Directed and choreographed by the multi award-winning Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Hairspray and Legally Blonde) the cast and crew interacted seamlessly in night of dancing, music and acting that simply flew by.
The stunning Deco set seemed to be alive, moving with the precision and regularity of a Swiss timepiece and flooded with lights that complemented every move. Clearly every angle has been worked and reworked in the decade it took to bring this flawless portrayal of such a classic novel and film to the stage.

A timeless joyful ride into glitzy and shady dealings which looks set to run and run.