Victor/Victoria, currently playing at the Bridewell Theatre is enjoying a short run from 26 November-6 December 2014.
Cross-dressing and gender politics meet in this warm, funny musical. Set in Paris in 1934, Victor/Victoria follows a penniless singer (Victoria Grant) as she meets Caroll Todd (Toddy) to fool the elite of Paris that she is a female impersonator (Victor). The plot thickens arise when a Chicago businessman/mobster (King Marchan) finds himself attracted to the star.
Sedos is an amateur company and are the resident theatre group at the Bridewell Theatre. What strikes the audience instantly is that this is a high standard amateur production in an intimate setting with set and costume creating the atmosphere of ‘gay paree’.
For an amateur dramatics company Victor/Victoria is an ambitious undertaking. The role was created on film by Julie Andrews in 1982 and this indicates the range and caliber of acting required in order to do not only this role but the show justice. I’m pleased to say that Emma Walton delivers a strong performance in the title role with a good clean vocal and has some wonderful subtle changes in her demeanor and pitch when portraying Victor.
Other notable performances come from Hannah Roberts portraying Norma, this is a hilarious character and Roberts delivers a wonderful send up of the role. Wayne Burke has created a wonderful and loveable character in Toddy and there is a lovely chemistry between him and Walton as the formidable performing duo.
The staging is ambitious and at times scene changes were clunky and unsmooth leading to delays in the performance with some props breaking upon entering the playing space.
Angus Jacobs has done a good job with directing this production and the choreography particularly stood out as unique and creative. A mention has to go to the talented ensemble that performs with passion and gusto throughout the show and really bring this show to life.
If you want to see a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman then make you’re way along to the Bridewell theatre 6th December for a fun evening of camp musical theatre.
Reviewed by Matthew Andrew Wren
Photo: Nick Fyson
Victor/Victoria is playing at the Bridewell Theatre until 6 December.