“‘Gypsy’, the story of burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee and her ultimate showbiz mother, Rose boasts a fabulous score by Jules Style and lyrics from Stephen Sondheim, including the memorable songs ‘Let Me Entertain You’, ‘Everything’s Coming Up Roses’, ‘You Gotta Have a Gimmick’, ‘Some People’ and ‘All You Need Is The Girl’.”
Review by Richard Lambert, 5 Stars
The Mill at Sonning is always such a wonderful place to visit. And what better reason to go there than to see GYPSY? Starting the visit with a drink from the bar followed by a scrumptious meal, before heading into the theatre.
The songs from GYPSY are timeless, the story is timeless and this venue have a long established tradition for creating incredibly high quality musical theatre productions. With an in-house resident creative team, the facilities to build the shows, and a reputation that is the envy of agents and performers, all the stops are out for this one! And they have scored again!
The stage is perfectly formed to become a burlesque cabaret stage, edged with festoon lights that are individually controlled to be running lights. Multiple moving wash, LED fixtures and a handful of profile spot movers blended in well by lighting designer Nic Farman. With a trap door and pop-out set pieces, beautiful bead curtain tabs and wooden rear wall, Director Joseph Pitcher has used all these mechanisms to create clarity of story while retaining the emotional depths.
So many well-known musical numbers – every one of them a hit in their own right. In my opinion, the modern musicals just can’t compete with such well crafted shows like GYPSY. Loosely based on the burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee who arguably became the most famous stripper in the US. Many critics have declared GYPSY the greatest American musical ever written with the lead character, Mama Rose, the only truly complex musical character.
And there’s a dog in the show! Chowsie, played by Rosie!
The cast are phenomenal! Everyone of them, and there’s a lot of them. It does feel on the scale of a West End production! Topped off with a standout performance from Louise played by Evelyn Hoskins.
The material is the best, this production is the best, don’t miss it!
Photo credit: Andreas Lambis
‘Gypsy’ starring Rebecca Thornhill as Mama Rose and Evelyn Hoskins as her daughter Louise, running from 24 May – 15 July, is The Mill at Sonning Theatre‘s biggest ever production.
Joining the previously announced Rebecca Thornhill as Mama Rose and Evelyn Hoskins as her daughter Louise are:
Daniel Crowder (as Herbie), Samuel How (LA), Buna McCreary-Njie (Kansas), Tim Maxwell-Clarke (Pop), Peter Nash (Tulsa), Seren Sandham-Davies (Agnes), Marina Tavolieri (June), Laura Tyra (Tessie), Susannah van den Berg (Mazeppa), Joseph Vella (Yonkers), Natalie Winsor (Electra).
The children are played by Baby June: Daisy Jeffcoate, Mia Burton, Isla Jones Baby Louise: Sophie Bidgood, Aimee Brain, Sophie Lloyd Newsboy: Avi Kruijt, Sacha Yarwood, Samuel Logan, George Clarke, Joshua Rowe, Harley Coles
Musicians: Joe Atkin-Reeves Woodwind, Callum White Drums and Percussion, Alexia Barbera Double Bass
‘Gypsy’, the story of burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee and her ultimate showbiz mother, Rose boasts a fabulous score by Jules Style and lyrics from Stephen Sondheim, including the memorable songs ‘Let Me Entertain You’, ‘Everything’s Coming Up Roses’, ‘You Gotta Have a Gimmick’, ‘Some People’ and ‘All You Need Is The Girl’. This eagerly awaited production will be created by director Joseph Pitcher, musical arranger & musical director Francis Goodhand, design by Jason Denvir, costume design Natalie Titchener, lighting Design Nic Farman, Sound Design Chris Whybrow, casting Pearson Casting.
Creative team:
Joseph Pitcher Director & Choreographer Jason Denvir Set Designer Francis Goodhand Musical Arrangements/Musical Director Natalie Titchener Costume Designer Nic Farman Lighting Designer Chris Whybrow Sound Designer Casting by Pearson Casting CDG Associate Choreographer Alex Christian Children’s casting Amber Edlin
GYPSY A Musical Fable, Book by Arthur Laurents Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Suggested by memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee
Evening Shows Wed – Sat Sat Matinees Every Week Sun Matinees from 4 June Thurs Matinees from 15 June
Original Production by David Merrick and Leland Hayward Entire production originally directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins Gypsy is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd
