Puttin’ on the Ritz at the Bournemouth Pavilion Review
Puttin’ on the Ritz
Bournemouth Pavilion
17-22 August 2015
Reviewed by Keith Mitchell
The location is served by numerous car parks, easily accessible. Having recently undergone leg surgery and still being on crutches I was particularly interested to see how I could cope as a temporarily disabled person, rather than able bodied, viewing available facilities at a theatre I know well.
The Pavillion Theatre in Bournemouth is neat and tidy with a small entrance foyer accessed by either 3 shallow steps the width of the facade or a small ramp both of which were easily navigated. Toilets in the left side of the foyer are reachable via a couple small steps and a narrow entrance, which I did not attempt due to the numbers of people using them at the time. There are further toilets at the back of the theatre accessed either by a couple flights of stairs or an adequate sized lift. The theatre gives off the feel of Olde Worlde charm, reminiscent of the 50’s and 60’s with its moulded ceiling and fixtures, a throwback to the days of the Odeon and Gaumont cinemas. The seats are adequate in size, comfort and leg room, giving excellent views of the stage in the stalls due to the sloping auditorium. There is a balcony area of seating which also gives an excellent unobstructed view. There is a cross aisle where there is room for wheelchairs alongside seats for carers. The staff are polite and helpful and more mature, in keeping with the general ambiance of the theatre. In general, the theatre has a warmth about it, like slipping in to a comfortable old pair of favourite slippers.
Anyway, I was at the Pavilion to see Puttin’ on the Ritz. As someone who runs for the hills when my wife puts on ‘Strictly’, I approached this with a completely open mind in deference to the performers. The show is a continual stream of 1920’s and 30’s style dance and music, featuring the songs of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and George Gershwin. Initial music of ‘I Got Rhythm’ followed by curtain up at 7.37pm. The first set featuring 5 pairs of dancers and the two pairs of singers Lance Ellington, Ricky Rojas, Emma Kate Nelson and Hannah Kilminster, resplendent in white balls gowns and tails, hit the audience with the popular Irving Berlin song ‘No Business Like Show Business’ and onto Fred Astaire. Then came the first offering from Robin Windsor and Gordana Grandosek, from ‘Strictly’, very interesting to see them performing live, real quality and elegance. The set moved through songs such as ‘Top Hat’, ‘Easter Bonnet’, Nat King Cole’s ‘Let there be love’, to name but a few, constantly changing tempo, endless costume changes, mixing between dancing, the main four singers and a combination of both, interspersed with dances from the principle pair with a great Latin American section.’ Alexander’s Ragtime Band’, ‘Somebody Stole My Girl’, ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ follow on seamlessly. ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ and a cracking tap dance sequence from the dance troupe leads nicely into the break.
The second half starts with a few clips of silent movies from the Marx Brothers and Laurel and Hardy, before launching into a medley of songs by Cole Porter such as ‘You’re the Tops’, ‘Anything Goes’, ‘ Night and Day’, the Marilyn Monroe hit ‘My Heart Belongs to Daddy’, Carmen Miranda’s ‘ I, I ,I, I, I, I love you very much’, ‘ Let’s Face the Music and Dance’. Tap dancing in more casual clothes. The girls dressing as Flappers and performing some seriously high energy Charleston’s. Without missing a beat the songs just kept coming. ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’, too many other songs to mention and on to a tribute to the famous Cotton Club ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’, ‘Up a Lazy River”. ‘Birth of the Blues’, ‘Yes sir that’s my baby’. The dancers moved to sit down on the front of the stage in a line and perform a complex slapping, clapping and hand jive routine which got a rousing reception. They did several little clips of it in reprise, each greeted by louder cheering and applause. Not one slight error amongst any of them, showing how hard they have practiced and truly professional. More tap dancing with the song ‘I got Rhythm’ bringing the show to a close and rapturous applause at 9.30pm.
The whole experience was awesome, not my usual viewing. Countless changes of dresses in bright colours for the female dancers. The men changing from casual to tails every few songs. The four main singers going through a whole truck load of clothing changes, the principle two dancers showing great energy and class. The entire performance flowed beautifully from start to finish and I was amazed how many of the songs I knew the words to. The dancers put in more than a good shift, with countless up tempo numbers and looked like they were having a total blast throughout, interspersed with slower elegant numbers. The singers did the songs justice without the slightest falter, crystal clear, with splendid sound system and theatre acoustics making sure they were heard, note perfect, whether singing solo or with others.
Having touched dancing in these styles many years ago myself I know how talented, incredibly fit the dancers are and how they have virtually limitless stamina from a lot of VERY hard work. If you are into nostalgia , elegance, packed with tremendous songs from a bygone age, well danced and sung, bringing an innocent freshness for your entertainment, then look no further than this show, Or even give it a crack with an open mind if not your usual fare, you may well be pleasantly surprised, as I was.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £17.20 to £35.48 (booking fees may apply).
Puttin’ on the Ritz is at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre until 22 August 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 576 3000.
Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, Westover Road, Bournemouth, BH1 2BU | 0844 576 3000
