Sheridan Smith – The Perfect Funny Girl?

Funny Girl Review with Sheridan Smith at Bristol Hippodrome

SHERIDAN SMITH & CHRIS PELUSO STAR IN FUNNY GIRL

The Bristol Hippodrome

Tuesday 21^st March – Saturday 25^th March 2017

I hadn’t realised quite how popular the show Funny Girl would be until I tried to buy an extra ticket for a guest, only to learn the show was a sell-out. And why is it so popular? I vaguely remember enjoying Funny Girl, the film starring Barbra Streisand, when I saw it years ago and I’ve seen BAFTA and Olivier award-winning Sheridan Smith play so many great roles that she was a big attraction for me. Unsurprisingly I’m not alone in admiring Sheridan. Several friends who hadn’t previously expressed any interest in the show, were bitterly disappointed to have missed out when it dawned on them,

“Oh wow, she’s in it!”.

FUNNY GIRL SYNOPSIS

Funny Girl boasts iconic songs in film and theatre history, including People and Don’t Rain On My Parade. This laugh-out-loud musical tells the story of Fanny Brice, whose vocal talents and comedic ability see her rise from Brooklyn music hall singer to Broadway star, despite, or more likely because of, her unconventional looks and clumsy dance style! She’s swept off her feet by suave gentleman and love interest Nick Arnstein (played by Chris Peluso), but will Fanny and Nick live happily ever after or will that proverbial spanner find its way into the works?

FUNNY GIRL REVIEW

The set looks uncluttered and effective. Several asymmetric archways leading to the back of the stage are the main feature, with a backdrop which in turn becomes the auditorium where Fanny performs, a railway station or, when closed, just a floor to ceiling curtain enclosing a room. Simple props slide in and out like magic – such as the vanity mirror and changing screen which represent Fanny’s dressing room effectively.

Variety numbers are performed within the show, offering the cast ample opportunity to showcase different dance styles, including tap and ballet. The cast was clearly kept on its toes and I imagine the costume department must have been kept busy too with the numerous costume changes!

Not surprisingly there are plenty of comedy moments in Funny Girl. Right from the opening song If a Girl Isn’t Pretty, I’m tickled by pedantically rhyming lines like:-

“When a girls incidentals are no bigger than two lentils.”

(Ah yes, I remember that well! ?.)

AGE SUITABILITY

This may not be a show designed for children but there’s nothing here which would put me off bringing them. Even the bedroom scene ends in a classically modest fade to black.

THE VERDICT?

There’s something special about award-winning actress Sheridan Smith: she seems to be everywhere at the moment and whatever role she takes on is top-notch and believable. The cast and the team behind Funny Girl should be unanimously proud of this delightful production but Fanny Brice is such a great role for the funny, heartwarming, magnetic actress that Sheridan can’t help but steal the show!

Highly recommended!

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