42nd Street
CATS Youth Theatre
42nd Street is the all-time classic Broadway musical based upon the 1933 movie musical of the same name.
Set in the time of the great depression it tells the story of Peggy Sawyer a girl from Philadelphia who wants to make it big on Broadway.
Her moment arrives when Dorothy Brock, a fading musical star, literally breaks a leg, and so Peggy is given her opportunity to shine, and so a new Broadway star is born.
The team at CATS led by Director Louise Cohen and choreographer Em Cohen have yet again produced another fabulous piece of entertainment.
Glitzy, decadent and glossy, they have worked this cast hard. Staged at Bolton Little Theatre, the traditional pros arch setting was perfect. Only a small number of the large cast had previous tap experience but that didn’t show in the big set pieces.
The show is a musical within a musical and Elliot Hogben shines as the stressed-out producer as does Kenyon Garrish as the leading man within the ‘musical’. Great performances from them both.
Natasha Weaver as the famous leading lady Dorothy Brock was great too as was Harry Cohen, Dorothy's former vaudeville partner and romantic interest. Great work from them both. Oliver Gaskell, Nikki Aspinall, Billy Currid, Jake Hill and Ethan Browne all gave great character performances as well.
Lucy White, Iona Budis and Louise Higginbottom were marvelous, wonderful acting and tremendous dancing. Well done ladies!
Em Cohen as the girl from Philadelphia who makes it big was outstanding. In a real class of her own but worked well with the whole cast and was principal choreographer for the show too! Wonderful.
As always, the principal actors were supported by an extremely talented chorus, each one integral to the smooth running of the show. It was good to see so many stepping up into smaller roles.
As you come to expect from the backstage team at CATS, wonderful costumes and the staging was great too. Simple but classy. Musical Director David Wilson again let a very talented orchestra.
If you want a break from the stresses of the real world, I suggest you go and see 42nd Street. You won’t be disappointed.
Runs until Saturday
Jason Crompton
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here