A Damsel in Distress at Chichester Festival Theatre Review
A Damsel in Distress
Chichester Festival Theatre
30 May to 27 June 2015
Reviewed by Ellie Hanks
Last night we visited Chichester Festival Theatre, our local theatre, to see A Damsel in Distress, a musical based on the play by P G Wodehouse with original songs and music by George and Ira Gershwin. A fab night was had by all!
The stage was set with a backdrop of musical billboard and this later fell away to reveal what is a rather grand set, considering the CFT isn’t a large theatre – it’s set almost in a round (a little past half-moon maybe?) and the stage set was on a revolve with a huge castle set build with turret and tower. Rather impressive for a small local theatre and the lighting perfectly complemented this English country castle/West-End theatre/Castle Kitchens settings. The theatre itself is a small one but very neatly packaged. Staff were very polite and courteous and I couldn’t praise their helpfulness enough.
The show opens with Billie Dore, (Sally-Ann Triplett) a Broadway star singing the one of the latest grand numbers by her friend and play write George Bevan (Richard Fleeshman) who has written to a musical especially for her. Bevan decides that the musical he has written for Billie isn’t ‘deep’ enough and is irritated by it, when he bumps into Maud, an beautiful, young English socialite, betrothed to her cantankerous aunt’s step son, Reggie played by Richard Dempsey (still with me?). Bevan falls in love instantly and so the commencement of the writing of the musical in his head, about a Damsel in distress, and the pursuit of said damsel begins.
Fleeshman is great as Bevan; sweet, funny and kind, he brings this American character to life and with that wonderful singing voice really does the Gershwin’s songs the justice they deserve. Both Summer Strallen (Maud) and Melle Stewart shine as the female lead and supporting, with their voices sounding fabulous. Richard Dempsey is also excellent as the geeky Reggie Byng and Nicholas Farrell is great as the Lord that falls hopelessly in love with his pigs, roses and then Billie! But all were upstaged by the wonderful David Roberts who plays the part of Pierre the Cook (amongst other roles). As Pierre, Roberts shines in a fantastic comedic role, that has energy in abundance and the audience in stitches.
The ensemble also deserve credit where due as they are excellent in bringing the show to life, particularly with the tap numbers.
Overall, A Damsel in Distress is a very good musical; professional, slick, with talent in abundance and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute, with no lulls to speak of in the pace or energy. All of the music numbers hold your attention with none of them seeming tired and an excellent night was had by all – I think I speak for the cast when I say this too as they seemed like they had a ball!
An excellent musical, wonderfully performed.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £15 to £48 (booking fees may apply).
A Damsel in Distress is at the Chichester Festival Theatre until 27 June 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01243 781312.
Chichester Festival Theatre, Oaklands Park, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6AP
