MUSICAL THEATRE
Written by Robert
Stigwood assisted by Bill Oates, featuring songs by The Bee Gees and others, produced
by StageArt
Chapel off Chapel, until Feb 28, 2016
Reviewer: Kate Herbert on Feb 13
Stars:***1/2
NB The writer's credit (above-Stigwood) is taken from the program for this production. It does not match the credits for the original stage production. KH
Chapel off Chapel, until Feb 28, 2016
Reviewer: Kate Herbert on Feb 13
Stars:***1/2
NB The writer's credit (above-Stigwood) is taken from the program for this production. It does not match the credits for the original stage production. KH
Mike Snell as Tony Manero
Saturday Night
Fever celebrates infectious, hip-thrusting 1970s disco music but also reveals a
grim underworld that lies beneath the shiny nightlife of disenfranchised youth
in Brooklyn, New York in 1979.
This production,
directed by Robbie Carmellotti, is based on the West End revival (2013-14) that
incorporates dialogue and songs from the 1977 John Travolta movie of the same
name, simplifies the set design and features the dancers playing instruments.
The
great strengths of this production are Luke Alleva’s sweltering, disco
choreography, The Bee Gees unbeatable disco hits and the thrilling harmonies and rousing
chorus arrangements by musical director, Tony
Toppi.
The
repertoire include Gibb brothers’ tunes, Jive Talkin’, Stayin’ Alive, You
Should Be Dancing, Night Fever, More Than a Woman, but also the pulsating Disco Inferno (The
Trammps) and Boogie Shoes (K.C. and The Sunshine Band).
Tony Manero (Mike Snell), Italian
stallion heartthrob and disco dance king at Brooklyn’s 2001
Odyssey Nightclub, is obsessed by winning the club’s disco dance competition to cement his
reputation as Brooklyn’s best dancer and prove to his parents and himself that
he is not a bad-boy ‘loser’.
Snell is an accomplished dancer with
a tuneful, upper register that suits the peppy, disco style and he captures Tony’s
audacity and vulnerability, although he lacks the smooth sensuality and
machismo of Travolta’s Tony.