West Side Story at the Regent Theatre Stoke Review

West Side Story
Regent Theatre, Stoke

12-16 November 2013

www.westsidestorytheshow.co.uk

Reviewed by Ella Richardson

I have always been a big musical fan. I have been to see a variety of different shows in the West End including West Side Story, so when the opportunity came up to see it again years later at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent I jumped at the chance to relive my childhood memories  and I certainly wasn't disappointed. From the moment me and my friend arrived at the Regent Theatre, the staff were unbelievably helpful and polite, after a long car journey we were really thirsty but had agreed before we got to the theatre we didn't have time, as we were both well aware of the usual theatre bars having huge queues but we walked straight up to the bar and were served by a friendly face straight away. We had the exact same experience in the interval and were thoroughly impressed by the hospitality. We then moved into the seated area which is beautiful and had a real authentic theatre feel to it, especially as the theatre was packed, every seat was filled with laughter, chatting and just had a generally good feel to it, I was smiling before the show had even started.

The curtains went up to some amazing scenery a great use of a smaller stage than I had seen in bigger theatres but they used every bit to create the scene and I was captivated from the word go, it was everything I remembered it was, as I was slightly worried it might ruin my childhood memories re visiting but it started just as spectacularly as I had remembered. The main characters in the production portrayed the characters accurately and the choreography was amazing. there was a strong sense of the scene and who each character was and what their role would be, everyone gave 100% and that really paid off and really brought you into the scenes with them and I felt all this within the first 15 minutes, which to me is a sign of a really well produced and put together show.

The actors and actresses are superb, with half of the cast having to have a Puerto Rican accent there was scope for a big fall, which could make or break the show, but the cast managed to keep up the accent and to an untrained ear sounded authentic. There was obvious chemistry between the cast and even the supporting cast caught my eye in being always in character, which from a performing arts background I know is hard to keep up for nearly 3 hours, even towards the end of the first part the actors were still going strong, the energy was still high and the accents were still in place. 

I didn't think it could get any better than the first half but WOW the second half was even more energetic and fun packed than the first, I was on the edge of my seat as the actors really brought us into their world and portrayed the angst and heartache of the story, I was particularly impressed with the Sharks act of attacking Anita, I felt that was really well represented , and they portrayed the act in such a way it would be ok for a child to see, it was very inventive and used the art of dance rather than stage violence which I was slightly worried about, so even with this part I would recommend that a child can go and see it although with the storyline it may not be easy to follow for younger children.

I would absolutely recommend the theatre and the production of West Side Story to anyone, it definitely matched the production I saw in the West End and at a better price, plus it was more intimate which I must say I prefer especially with being able to get drinks quickly and being able to see the stage, my only criticism is not of the show or the theatre but the lack of parking, there seemed to be a car park that was sectioned off and there was one in front of the theatre with a few spaces but there was no direct signing to the theatre parking like I have found in other theatres BUT after all said and done to say that the parking is my only criticism is not a deciding factor to decide whether to visit or not and I'm sure the cornered off car park will be up and running again soon as it looked like it was having work done.

All in all a fabulous production, a lovely and friendly theatre and a great time had by all.

Rating: 4/5

West Side Story is showing at the Regent Theatre until 16 November 2013, to book tickets click here.

West Side Story is currently on tour until June 2013. For tour dates or to book tickets click here.