’42nd Street’ at Milton Keynes Theatre Review

Reviewed by Hilz

’42nd Street’ at Milton Keynes Theatre Review

This show was ‘glitz’ personified.  We had very high expectations, our friends had been last year to the London performance and raved about it.  We thought that the storyline was quite shallow.  A youngster, inexperienced, trying to make it in the big time, trying to be a star, trying to be famous and in the spotlight, and in the money.

However, Peggy was played very well.  She is a super talented dancer and actress and certainly is a star in her own right.  Her tap dancing, and indeed all the tap dancing, was absolutely excellent. If you are a tap dancer or a fan of tap dancing you will love this show and should go.

We thought that the costumes were exceedingly good.  Glitzy and glamorous and shimmery with skirts that moved alongside every movement, with colours underneath that were exposed with twirling, and just sparkle sparkle all over. What girl wouldn’t want to be dressed like this?  Okay, maybe some wouldn’t but many would including me!
Really wonderful costumes.

The whole show definitely had razzmatazz!  With the (what we felt) rather superficial script we found it pretty hard to relate to the story and therefore connect with the characters.  One exception was Michael Praed as Mr Marsh.  We felt that he really connected well with the audience.  It happens to help that we are currently watching him on the new series of Celebrity Masterchef on the TV!  So we do like him already it has to be admitted.

Many of the songs were indeed fabulous, but the sentiments within were rather dated.  One song which means a lot to me because my father used to sing it when I was a girl is ‘keep young and beautiful’.  The first line is ‘keep young and beautiful, it’s your duty to be beautiful, keep young and beautiful if you want to be loved’.  This is so undermining to women.  Girls have so many issues nowadays with self image that the words are a problem and unfortunate. Obviously this is a show based in The 1930s, but even so it was sad.

Song highlights included ‘Lullaby of Broadway’ and ’42nd Street’  The choreography in 42nd Street included a part which was flamenco inspired and which was particularly well done and enjoyable.  All the singing was good but we particularly enjoyed Dorothy’s voice and abilities, she also drew us in and made us connect.  The orchestra were fabulous. Three cheers for them. And the conductor of course.

Money was a theme.  Money being celebrated, for example in the song ‘We’re in the money’.  And the love of money being questioned, for example in another song which has the line ‘money is the root of all evil’.

The theatre was almost completely full – all ages, but particularly retired folks it seemed.  Having said that there were a number of primary school age girls there and they seemed to really enjoy it too.  Definitely one of those rare shows which appeal to all ages but which you also feel are ‘safe’ for young children to attend.  No swearing or sexual content.  Altogether an enjoyable evening.

Rating: 3/5 

42nd Street is at Milton Keynes Theatre from Monday 28th August to Saturday 2nd September 2023
500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 3NZ
Tickets prices start at £13 with a transaction fee of £3.80 and can be purchased here:
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/42nd-street/milton-keynes-theatre/