You can catch him now giving an ace performance as Sky Masterson – a professional gambler who, against his better judgement, finds himself falling for the Salvation Army sergeant he’s been challenged to take to Havana for, naturally, a bet.
American director Gordon Greenberg’s joyful revival of Frank Loesser’s classic 1950 musical (a transfer from Chichester which has taken a while to get here and arrives partially recast) is a treat – full of catchy tunes including “Luck be a Lady” and the show-stopping “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat” – and here with the added bonus of lively choreography courtesy of former Royal Opera House star Carlos Acosta and Andrew Wright.
David Haig makes an irresistibly loveable rogue out of commitment-phobe Nathan Detroit whose 14 year engagement to long-suffering nightclub singer Miss Adelaide (Sophie Thompson on unrestrainedly ditzy comic form) looks set never to lead to marriage – he’s far too busy anxiously scouting secret New York locations for the illegal floating crap games he organises for his fellow gangsters.
And Parker croons like a dream, bringing real depth to Masterson’s conflicting emotions in this witty conflation of a couple of Damon Runyon’s short stories, a joyously feel-good way to kick start the theatrical year.
Savoy, The Strand, WC2R 0ET
Tube:- Charing Cross
Until 12th March
£25.00 – £82.00 + premium seats
