Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is one of the best musicals I’ve seen this year (I’ve seen a lot. I’ve even seen Once twice), so when I was invited to a media night by Laughing Buddha, I quite literally jumped at the chance!
First thing’s first so it was onto the stage with Assistant Choreographer Darren Carnall and Associate Director Dominic Shaw to learn the dance for The More We Dance…
Naturally my partner (Helena from oneinalongline.com) and I were awesome and if you don’t believe me, you can see us in this fabulous video from Jess of jessicameaden.wordpress.com
We also attempted to flick a hat off our head onto our foot (piece of cake… not!) West End Wilma not only got the best looking partner, but also got to be swung by several men (why did I wear a dress?!)
Then it was time for some refreshment (wine, obviously), before we watched the show. It was still fabulous the second time, even though everyone dropped everything (I know it’s hard), but the audience still loved it.
Post show we chatted to the cast, including Robert Lindsay, Rufus Hound, John Marquez and the lovely Lizzy Connolly (Jolene). They must’ve been exhausted so it was really nice of them to make the effort.
Of course Wilma and I then ended up accidentally gatecrashing the Charlie and the Chocolate party at the Waldorf… Until they ejected us. Standard Wednesday evening!
Huge thank you to the Savoy Theatre and Laughing Buddha for arranging the evening!
Here’s my original review of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels for London Theatre:
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – Savoy Theatre – 19th March 2014
A musical version of the classic Michael Caine and Steve Martin film might sound like a scandal in itself, but writers Jeffrey Lane and David Yazbek have created a sophisticated production that is bound to be a West End smash.
In the French Riviera, seasoned swindler Lawrence (Robert Lindsay) is preparing for a new season of conning wealthy women out of their fortunes. Yet when he teams up with Freddy (Rufus Hound) he realises he’s bitten off more than he can chew. Which of them will win the love of millionaire Christine (Katherine Kingsley) and the ultimate prize? Dirty tricks and hoodwinking by the score… But who is cheating who?
There’s not a lot left to say about Robert Lindsay, who was made for the role of Lawrence, oozing a sexy charm that would make 007 proud. He dances and sings the other men off stage, completely at ease and clearly enjoying himself in this role. His stunned and bemused expressions are perfect, reducing the audience to fits of giggles with a simple change eyebrow raise or smirk.
Rufus Hound as Lawrence’s partner (and rival) in crime Freddy once again proves his comic genius, but also impresses with his own dancing ability. The stage partnership is extremely believable and an excellent piece of casting as the two of them bounce naturally off each other.
Samantha Bond brings true class to the piece as poor conned Muriel who follows her ‘prince’ across France. Her duet Like Zis/Like Zat with Lawrence’s loyal servant Andre (John Marquez) is one of the highlights of the show and the dancing is surprisingly good and wouldn’t look out of place in Top Hat.
The script is fast-paced and very clever, with plenty of atrocious foreign accents (and yodelling) that all British people love, plus some classic slapstick humour (mainly at Hound’s expense).
Songs range from the clever and amusing (the lyrics to All About Ruprecht just make you giggle), to the big ballads (Katherine Kingsley’s performance of both Here I Am and Nothing is Too Wonderful To Be True is truly fantastic) and Dirty Rotten Number, which is a classic show finale.
Slick, quick and suave, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a brilliant production that guarantees giggles and will have you snorting into your champers!
My Stage is the World 
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