A Chorus Line At Wycombe Swan Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Amanda Dando
A Chorus Line at the Wycombe Swan. We ventured to the Wycombe Swan on yet another wet and windy evening. Having never visited the Wycombe Swan before we found it relatively easy to find, and plenty of local parking to accommodate the evening crowd. We didn’t have time for a pre-show drink in the area, but we spotted plenty of public houses should you have the time. Entry was smooth and when asked staff helped with directions to our seats.
It’s an intimate venue, and I would imagine wherever you sit, your view is good. I had no prior knowledge of the show, I know I hear you groan, I probably should have! The show is set in a Broadway theatre in New York City, New York in 1975. The set is minimalist and centres around 17 people who are attending auditions for yes, the chorus line of a show.
Without spoiling the story, those auditioning share how they got to that day, that point, that audition, who they are what they want, and how much it has taken for them to get there on that day. Right from the off, you see some are young, some are older, some are small some are tall, through their own stories they explain how their upbringing, their body shape, their sexuality has affected their lives. Overwhelmingly, you understand from each and every one of them, that they want the part very very much.
Led by the director Zach played by Adam Cooper, we are exposed to the tough side of auditions, and the even tougher journey to get there. They are all powerful performers and I was drawn in from the start. The dancing, especially from them all together was fantastic. They all wore a variety of outfits fitting for the mid 1970s, and to a one nailed the accents. There were some outstanding voices up there on stage tonight, stand out for me, Kate Parr who played Maggie, and Jocasta Almgill who played Diana Morales. You became so invested in their dreams and ambitions, hurting for the traumas and tribulations they had suffered along the way. There is no doubt about it show-business is brutal, and even once you are at the top, you can still have to start again. To have the guts to start again, takes strong character. They all in their own way were very strong. All of their life stories resonated, you didn’t have to be in show business, just the suffering we all have to endure in our personal and professional lives, affects us all in one way or another.
The last ten minutes were simply amazing, a true taste of Broadway, that I have never had the pleasure of witnessing. The finale song, One, performed to perfection with costumes fit for Hollywood glitz, fireworks, confetti and sensational dancing. It was the perfect ending and completely blew me away. Bravo everyone, bravo. Grab a ticket while you can!
Rating: 4/5
Tickets from £29.25 each plus service fee of £3.95 per ticket available from trafalgartickets.com or call the Box Office 0343 310 0060
https://trafalgartickets.com/wycombe-swan-theatre/en-GB/event/musical/a-chorus-line-tickets
A Chorus Line is at Wycombe Swann Tuesday 1st – Saturday 5th October 2024
Wycombe Swann St Mary Street High Wycombe HP11 2XE