Miss Nightingale – Hippodrome Casino until 6th May

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review By Caroline Hanks-Farmer

Miss Nightingale is a veritable romp through war-torn Britain. Full of sauciness, innuendo and just jolly good fun. It’s an evening of entertainment which warms the heart in new musical land.

Photo Credits Darren Bell

An intimate underground cabaret club opens in the heart of London. A saucy new star shines under the spotlight. Two men struggle to bring their illicit love out of the shadows. The war- torn capital has never been so revealing!

Welcome to the Glitz of the Blitz; where showgirls, secrets and scandal abound. A world where aristocrats jostle with black-market spivs, songwriters take to the streets and nothing is quite as it seems.

Maggie Brown, an aspiring singer and her best friend George Nowodny, a songwriter and Jewish refugee, perform a dazzling act at the newest nightclub in town, owned by wealthy socialite and RAF war-hero, Sir Frank Worthington-Blythe. Maggie’s beau Tom Connor, paves the way for the sexy and charismatic ‘Miss Nightingale’ to be born, and the musical duo quickly find themselves with a West End hit! However, what the leading lady doesn’t know, is that George and Sir Frank are hiding a secret and as Miss Nightingale’s success grows, so does a forbidden love between the two men!

Review

Given the above synopsis, it has to be said that The Iconic Hippodrome London is the perfect setting for this production. Lauren Chinery takes the title role going from nurse to overnight cabaret star whilst keeping her feet firmly on the ground. An all round performer her likability and talents, quite rightly speak loudly for the female audience in this male dominated show. Playing opposite her is cad and spiv Tom (Adam Langstaff) who works the audience to the hilt. Creating both amusement and disdain just at the right time.

It is however the refreshing love story between George Nowodny (Matthew Floyd Jones) and Sir Frank Worthington-Blythe (Oliver Mawdsley) which captured my attention throughout. I liked the fact that this new musical tried something different as its storyline. It’s boldness I felt paid off and kudos to the actors who played the bitter and sweet tale with such tenderness.

The music is exactly as it should be a huge variety of different genres. Clever use of lyrical innuendos made for a jolly fun evening. Usually actor musicians don’t sit well for me but for this production it felt absolutely right and indeed added interest and depth.

In Summary

This is a charmingly sweet musical which has a heart. I love the fact that it’s gone against trend and does not have your predictable archetypal ending. It’s full of character with an eclectic musical taste which should suit most audiences. It’s on until the 6th May at the Hippodrome Casino. Watch out for my interviews with the team coming soon.

Listing

MISS NIGHTINGALE
THE THEATRE AT THE HIPPODROME CASINO
21 MARCH – 6 MAY 2018
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY MATTHEW BUGG

Over 18s Only – If you are lucky enough to look under 25 you must bring photo ID

Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes plus interval

Performances:
Wednesday – Saturday at 7.30pm
Saturday Matinee at 2pm
Sunday at 5pm

No Shows: 27th, 28th and 29th April

Ticket Prices: From £10

Address: The Hippodrome Casino, Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7JH

Box Office: 020 7769 8888

Website:
www.missnightingale.co.uk
www.hippodromecasino.com

Facebook:
/MissNightingaleTheMusical
/TheHippodromeCasino

Twitter:
@Nightingale1942
@HippodromeLDN

Instagram:
@mrbuggpresents
@hippodromecasino