REVIEW: Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! on the Wyndham’s Theatre

Every musical theatre fan goes to wish to slap me foolish once I say that I’ve by no means really seen Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! I didn’t develop up watching these basic musicals however now as an grownup, I make an effort to go and see them to make up for misplaced time. What I didn’t anticipate, was for this manufacturing to have such an emotional impact on me.  

I used to be fully blown away by this manufacturing, the simplicity of each side was beautiful. The phrases do all the work on this manufacturing and what comes of that’s pure fact from the actors. Not a single second felt compelled, provoked or staged, each performer was within the second and allowed the textual content to do all of the work for them. What that introduced out of the textual content was an excellent comedy but additionally excessive tragedy. 

This manufacturing turns what we’ve recognized about it on its head (I used to be totally knowledgeable by my date that night!) Jud Fry, carried out by Patrick Vaill, is normally performed as this massive dangerous man and the villain of the piece. In this, he’s virtually like a Shakespearian protagonist. The character’s psychological well being was very fragile within the present and these days, if this was set in a modern-day metropolis, the character would have so many choices to get assist. In an virtually timeless nation village, he has no assets. Vaill, who has transferred from the US manufacturing, performs the position with a gorgeous and uncomplicated simplicity. He is emotionally abused by the individuals round him and we see the tragic results of that. In the second of his *spoiler alert* loss of life, I froze and instantly welled up. 

This actually struck a chord with me, I don’t assume there are lots of individuals round who don’t know somebody who has been affected instantly by psychological well being. Watching a personality who’s visibly in want of assist and determined was really heartbreaking as an outsider. This provides the entire piece a brand new that means and Patrick Vaill is a masterful performer. 

The fantastic Arthur Darvill performs the main position of Curly, with the long-lasting opening tune his different vocals give a brand new sound to the rating and it’s fully distinctive. Whilst Jud Fry is the protagonist on this model, Curly is sort of, most likely, most positively the villain. A imaginative and prescient of basic poisonous masculinity, this character is unlikable and by the top we wish him locked up for all times. It takes a really expert actor to make us hate him, Darvill is undoubtedly the person for the job. An excellent efficiency. 

Georgina Onuorah takes over the position of Ado Annie from Marisha Wallice who performed the character on the Young Vic. Wallice has simply been nominated for an Olivier for the position and I’m questioning if Onuorah could be nominated subsequent 12 months? If it is allowed, it most positively ought to occur. She is the shining instance of an impeccable comedy actor, she permits the phrases to do the work for her and along with her talent and expertise she produces one of many funniest performances I’ve seen in a really very long time. Huge vocals and a stunning actor, I’m very a lot wanting ahead to seeing the place she goes sooner or later. 

Her associate in crime, Will Parker, performed by James Patrick Davis, matched the vitality of Onuorah. Another very pure efficiency however executed the comedy component completely. 

Two different remaining solid mentions should go to Liza Sadovy and Helen Ok Wint. Sadovy blew me away and was the stand-out efficiency in Cabaret so seeing her on this was really fantastic, a fantastic position for her. She had energy and commanded the motion but additionally had a gentle facet, a pleasure to look at. Wint is an understudy within the present, masking three roles, and was on for Gertie the night time I visited. Had I not seen the signal on the bar, I might by no means have thought she was an understudy. She slotted in completely and gave a extremely fantastic efficiency, this early within the run it simply proves how invaluable and gifted our understudies are in theatre. 

The creatives on this present have actually created one thing extraordinarily particular, Drew Levy’s Sound design was exceptional and so detailed. It contributed to the general manufacturing immensely and really made the present. Along with Scott Zielinski’s lighting design, it proved that simplicity generally actually is the best factor. 

Under the path of Daniel Fish, this manufacturing of Oklahoma is exceptional. The theatrical occasion of the 12 months, this piece is the must-see present of 2023. This is essentially the most particular and thought-provoking present I’ve seen in a really very long time, I left the theatre with a lump in my throat and am already planning my return. 

Review by Mark Swale 

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Seat: Royal Circle, B24 | Price of the Ticket: £150.00