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Desperately Seeking Susan...
review
REALLondon had the pleasure to attend the new musical based on Madonna's breakthrough movie and set to Blondie trakcs. Desperately Seeking Susan opened in the West End Novello Theatre - and we bring you a few thoughts...
As with most West End premieres, it was packed out and a few celebrities were in attendance, including a few Deborah Harry look-alikes. Many of the press theatre critics were also present, notebooks in hand! (yes, we saw them scribbling all night long!), despite the press night had happened the night before.
As has been written in the press, the show's period has been moved from 1985 to 1979 which does not really cause any problems. Many of the iconic moments from the film are there (the armpit drying for example) - but a few are missing which was a bit of a shame...
When you can see how hard the design team and costume department have worked to recreate the looks that featured in the film, from the pyramid jackets, to 'Susan' wearing her boxer shorts by the pool, you have to wonder why they decided to change what was surely one of the most important costumes... those boots! We all remember those glittery, sparkly black boots that Susan swaps her jacket for - well in this production they have morphed into some metallic green, cheap looking booties that no-one would want to swap anything for!
There were a few other slightly odd changes, for which no reason could be fathomed... Why change the character Jim's name to Jay for example?
The production of the show is really excellent, as is the staging which includes a moving walkway for the chase scenes. The live band are fantastic and the main characters voices work so well with the Blondie soundtrack.
Some fans have said it was a dreadful decision to make this film which is linked so strongly with Madonna, into a musical with Blondie's music but in REALLondon's humble opinion this musical version doesn't tarnish the original film. And maybe while it boosts Blondie's back catalogue, it may also interest a whole new set of fans into watching the original film - and generating more Madonna fans!
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someone said...
A VIP comment randomly selected for your delight:
"Getting into the groove!!"
Said by rocco on Fri, 25th April 2008.
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snapped!
Click the VIP's name to see where we caught'em!
 rocco
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Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds
