Thoroughly Modern Millie, set in 1920s New York City, is full of energy but at the same time, it did not completely enthrall me as much as I wish it would.
The show opens with Millie Dilmount declaring that she will make it big in New York City and throughout the show, she meets characters along the way such as Jimmy Smith, the typical New-Yorker (or so it seems) and Trevor Graydon, the boss Millie hopes to marry. We also encounter Muzzy Van Hosmere, the famous singer recently returned from a world tour and Mrs Meers, the sinister hotel manager where Millie is staying. With the help of her friends, Millie learns how to be successful in the city, as well as learning the rules of love, and it is intertwined with the story of Hotel Priscilla and why so many of the guests keep disappearing.
Hayley Tamaddon did a very good job at portraying the young, enthusiastic Millie and I was captivated by her performance. It was very interesting to see the change in character throughout the show. Her voice was good but I think more was needed especially in the opening number to really capture the audience's attention right from the beginning.
Soon after we meet Jimmy Smith played by Michael Colbourne, and we can sense the chemistry between him and Millie as soon as they encounter each other and that they we will see Jimmy again. Overall, he was very sharp and witty and fitted the role of the typical New Yorker perfectly and in scenes with Millie, they worked together brilliantly.
At the hotel, Millie meets Dorothy Brown played by Lisa Bridge. Lisa was good at capturing the eccentric, upper class young woman in New York City but I felt she could have been stronger in terms of her portrayal and that there could have been more depth to the character.
Trevor Graydon, Millie's boss and the person she wants to marry to become wealthy, was played by Richard Meek and I felt a bit lukewarm about his performance, I didn't love it but at the same time I didn't hate it. His performance in act two in the scene when he was drunk brought roars of laughter from the audience and his singing voice was strong but unfortunately his portrayal did not have anything special about it for me.
One of my favourite characters, Muzzy Van Hosmere was played by Nicola Blackman whose voice was incredible. She often acted as the grandmotherly figure for Millie, a bit like a mentor for surviving and making it in the city. She teaches Millie that love is love and that people shouldn't marry to get things they want. Her portrayal was beautiful and I hope to see her in other productions soon.
Special mentions have to go to Lucas Rush as Mrs Meers, and Guy Salim and Patrick Jeremy as Ching Ho and Bun Foo respectively whose performance as a team was hilarious. They had the whole audience laughing in their attempts to capture the guests at Hotel Priscilla and I can't express enough how much I loved the scenes that they were in. Also the tap dancing from the ensemble members was amazing during the big numbers.
I feel a bit of work needed to be spent on some elements such as the set which was art deco and typical of 1920s New York as well as maybe tightening up some scenes however this is its second week on tour and I think it will get much sharper and smooth as it progresses.
This show, as I said before, did not completely captivate me and that it won't change the world but, it brought a smile to my face showing that it is a bright, bubbly and energetic show which is a good night out at the theatre.
Thoroughly Modern Millie runs at the Sunderland Empire until the 14th April before continuing its UK Tour.
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