When Arthur Laurents wrote a story about the gang feuds between the young immigrant people of the of America he can not have imagined what an impact it was going to have throughout the rest of the world. For when Leonard Bernstein set it to music with the help of lyricist Stephen Sondheim the world was in for a rare treat. The music is a delight and the lyrics compliment the spirit of the book. Add to this a man with vision who could see the potential Jerome Robbins and let him direct and choreograph, then what you get is something outstanding in musical theatre.

Here we have an English production of something very American and the Englishness comes to the surface at times, but this does not detract from the audience having a superb evening at the theatre. The boys started to come to life when the girls joined them for the dance numbers and added their delightful voices to the singing. Alan Johnson’s direction and choreography based on Robbin’s original conception gathered confidence and momentum as the story progressed in some interesting sets.

Led by two Scottish singers, Celia Graham as Maria and Norman Bowman as Tony, we were treated to some fine singing from these young people. They were backed by an accomplished chorus given parts in their own right, which they took with both hands and gave it all they had, the singing and acting of Emma Clifford as Anita being very memorable. Sascha Kane as Anybodys showed great potential for the future. The dance numbers such as the rumble were very well staged and the musical numbers such as Maria, Tonight, Somewhere and Gee, Officer Krupke were a delight - too many to mention. This all added up to an enjoyable evening of well known songs which people found themselves humming as they left the theatre, but realising the futility of grievances.

This was the first production performed on the theatre’s enlarged stage and should herald the type and quality of things to come. It was nice to see so many people on the stage and backed by an accomplished full sized orchestra under the direction of Robert Mitchell. The audience cheered and stamped their feet at the finale and it is a night that they will remember for a very long time. © BA

“West Side Story” is in York to the 4th of August, 2001.