REVIEWS REVIEWS
We were met by a line of ten or so smartly be-suited young business people,
marching in step around the outside of the theatre. At various points they
stopped to entertain us with synchronised follow-my-leader routines
reflecting -The Company Way. They were well rehearsed, and imaginatively
set the scene for the impeccably performed musical inside. In contrast to
those young business people, who showed little facial expression during
their performance, the company employees at "World Wide Wickets" were full
of animation and expression.
The story revolves around J. Pierrepont Finch, an ex window washer, played
most engagingly by Joe McFadden. He arrives at the office of W.W.W.Inc
seeking a job. But this is no ordinary job-seeker; he is aiming, with a
little help from his secret book "How to Succeed in Business Without Really
Trying", (snippets of which were read by the voice-over of an American
accented Alistair McGowan), to make a meteoric rise to the top of the
company ladder. He is friendly, kind, a flatterer. Nothing is too much
trouble. Everyone likes him, even the audience, but underneath
this boy-next-door exterior is a plotter, schemer, name dropper (including
his name of course), a mischievous con-man with a winning turn of phrase.
You are behind him all the way, feel sorry for him when things go wrong.
One can really empathise with him due in no small measure to his superb
performance.
Although Frank Loesser set this engaging story to music in 1961 it is
amazingly relevant in 2005. We have had "The Office" on TV, but one wonders
if the would be Apprentices of Alan Sugar would have succeeded better if
they had used a few tips from 'the book'. This is a story which I am sure
is being acted out in many offices throughout the world and despite the
light hearted treatment it does make one reflect on office dynamics. Life
has been well observed by the authors of the original book. The ensemble
gave an animated performance. The songs and dance routines were full of
pace, vibrancy and a delight to watch and listen to, reminiscent of the
choreography and style of "Grease". The secretaries wore late fifties
style dresses in plain clear colours, off-setting the grey three button office
suits of the men. The set was chrome, white, simple and modern, with
everything on wheels or wires so swiftly repositioned for the twenty two scenes.
The diction and amplification were excellent.
James Bolam played J.B. Biggley, Company President, but had trouble with his
American accent and he gradually lost all attempts to continue with one.
Nevertheless he was an excellent foil to Joe McFadden's Finch. Fiona Dunn as
Rosemary, the romance element, and Annette McLaughlin as Hedy La Rue, the
chairman's bit of crumpet, gave sterling performances. Both have
delightful singing voices and had engaging duets with MacFadden and Bolan.
The musical was well received by the audience who left chatting away, which
is always a good sign that they had enjoyed a riveting performance. It was
a lively and engaging start to the 2005 'Con Art' season' © JMB
“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” is in repertoire at Chichester from the 29th April to the 10th September, 2005.
