We will measure the success of a Chichester Competition season by the switch of reveals into the West Finish and so they have monitor file of musical transfers which is now joined by the excellent manufacturing of the George and Ira Gershwin musical comedy Loopy for You. Primarily based on the music of the Thirties musical Woman Loopy with a brand new guide by Ken Ludwig and first staged within the 1990’s, it’s a joyously entertaining romantic comedy by which the fabulous rating of delightfully melodic tunes supplies an ideal platform for one of many nice new younger stars of British Musical theatre, Charlie Stemp and the contemporary and thrilling restaging of the choreography by director and choreographer Susan Stroman. It is merely not possible to not be enthralled and delighted by this mix. 

He meets his match in Polly Baker performed by the elegant and feisty Carly Anderson and their relationship is superbly performed out via the complete vary of feelings however actually sparkles of their large dance numbers collectively, particularly together with her attractive flowing robes that intensify each twirl. They’ve good chemistry between them. The opposite love tales play second fiddle, however Irene (Natalie Kassanga) and Lank (Matthew Craig) have their second within the sultry “ Naughty Child” and Rina Fatania and Sam Harrison make an amusing double act of the very English Patricia and Eugene Fodor. 

The choreography additionally shines, full of contemporary enjoyable concepts, in a number of the large Ensemble numbers like “Entrance to Nevada”, “Slap the Base”, and “Stiff higher lip” the place pitchforks, saws, lengths of rope and chairs get cleverly used within the dances including humour and variation that’s fantastic to see. It’s assisted by a wonderful set design by Beowulf Boritt which effortlessly units the placement, allows fluid transitions between the scenes and creates loads of area for the choreography. The transfer from the thrust stage at Chichester to the normal Proscenium arch at Gillian Lynne enhances the texture as it’s largely set in a conventional theatre and the magical false proscenium arch that transforms itself between scenes may be very efficient. The Lodge and Theatre vehicles are magnificent settings with two tales, and are effectively built-in into the motion, as in Bobby’s cleverly executed stumble down the steps and transporting us to the wild west. 

This can be a first-class manufacturing led by the irrepressible Charlie Stemp, superbly staged and choreographed and with some pleasant musical compositions. It could be a fluffy and lightweight plot however for a summer time’s (or autumn) deal with, a feelgood evening out and a spirit-raising event, it’s well worth the journey, and you can also see that it is a forged who can say (and sing) “I received rhythm”.

It runs on the Theatre till twentieth January 2024

Evaluate by Nick Wayne 

Ranking: ★★★★

Ranking: Row S, Stalls | Worth of Ticket: £80