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Theatre Review: Saturday Night Fever ***

Yvonne Paterson reviews the tour of the musicalised version of the classic 70s film.

Shimmying onto the Edinburgh Playhouse stage for the next few nights is Bill Kenwright’s production of Saturday Night Fever - boasting a musical score jampacked with the Bee Gee’s most famous hits.

The production pays homage to the 1977 film of the same name starring John Travolta. However, this production is not ‘fever’ inducing, which is unfortunate—it lacks grit and never fully delves into the issues and themes raised.

Tony Manero (played by Jack Wilcox) is a young Italian-American who works at the local hardware store. His life is going nowhere and dancing is his way of escape, so when the opportunity of entering a dance competition topped with a chance to win a thousand dollars arises he hip-pops at the chance: however, he needs to find the right dance partner.

There are a number of subplots within the production which hint at character growth but are never fully explored; the script skims over a lot of issues, but the limited dialogue isn’t utilised, which is disappointing. However, dancing is Tony’s relief from what is suggested as a testing home life and dead-end job, and Bill Dreamers’ choreography is tight and slick. It is somewhat repetitive, but there is no doubt that the cast can dance, and the dance numbers are energetic and fun.

Wilcox is a phenomenal dancer: every move, every gesture, even every finger point is, well…on point. His dance moves are executed beautifully, and he has the famous John Travolta strut down to a tee. However, his lack of commitment and conviction in the role makes him and the challenges he faces unbelievable. He doesn’t really connect with the character or the audience.

The music is infectious and is clearly the backbone of this production, with the Bee Gee’s dressed in gold on a raised platform throughout the production in an almost God-like way watching the events unfold below them and providing some impressive vocals for the cast to move to, celebrating the discotheque era.

As problematic as Saturday Night Fever’s storylines are and its lack of depth, the dancing and music make it worthwhile, and is therefore still an enjoyable production to go and see any night of the week.

Saturday Night Fever runs at the Edinburgh Playhouse until November 5th before continuing its tour of the UK.


Tags: theatre

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