West Side Story: The devil is in the detail

By PATRICK MARMION FOR MAILONLINE
Updated:


West Side Story (Sadler's Wells)                                          

Catching up with the 50th anniversary revival of West Side Story at Sadler's Wells, I was reminded why it's produced so infrequently. It's a devilish little number to pull off.

Never mind that Bernstein's jazzy score is often challenging, or that the Romeo and Juliet-based saga has an unhappy ending.

The show's biggest problem is that it needs a cast of almost 40 performers, all of whom can dance, sing and act a bit too. Sometimes at the same time.

West Side Story

Tumultuous: Joey McKneeley's revival of West Side Story

But once you've got the hang of the idea that young men pirouetting in the air are supposed to be menacing, Joey McKneely delivers an intensely popular revival of the musical on a spectacular set of fire-escapes and vast projections of Manhattan's skyline.

Jerome Robbins's original choreography is reproduced to tumultuous effect and the boys in vests and bum-hugging pants boast pectorals to rival the gals in their hot salsa dresses.

Alternating in the role of Tony (the Romeo character), Scott Sussman may have the sexual charisma of John Boy Walton, but he sings and moves silkily.

Elisa Cordova as Maria (the Juliet character) is sweetness and light, with a plump, fruity voice to match. 

The rest of a talented cast add badly needed raunch that will help sustain the show when they embark on a national tour. 

Verdict: A musical that never sleeps

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