An American in Paris, theatre review: Gorgeous blend of ballet and musical theatre
This lavish, romantic show blends ballet and musical theatre — to frequently gorgeous effect. It’s based on the uplifting Fifties film that was such a spectacular vehicle for Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, and in the hands of director Christopher Wheeldon it mixes grace and elegance with jazzy verve.
The adaptation, scripted by Craig Lucas, packs in more of George Gershwin’s music than the film did and adds notes of darkness to its joie de vivre. At its heart is Jerry Mulligan, a former soldier who’s now trying to make it as an artist in the French capital. Amid the city’s postwar gloom he falls in with Adam, a pianist who fancies himself a composer, and rich dreamer Henri, who hopes to become a cabaret singer.
All of them are drawn to Lise, who works in a department store but has astonishing potential as a dancer. At the same time Jerry finds himself entangled with Zoë Rainey’s modish Milo, who’s obsessed with contemporary art and wants to add him to her collection.
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The story’s still pretty thin, lacking much psychological substance, and the extra helpings of Gershwin aren’t seamlessly integrated. We care about the characters’ amorous adventures — but not deeply. Though Wheeldon's record as a ballet choreographer is handsome, he has little form in musical theatre, and this shows in a production that’s sedately paced, with a first half that lacks momentum.
But the big numbers are visually ravishing, and Bob Crowley’s sumptuous, often witty designs are crucial, incorporating projections that evoke the spirit of Paris and the boldness of modern art.
The leads are both ballet stars, and vocally they’re assured rather than thrilling. Yet Leanne Cope’s Lise has a lovely intuitive lightness. As Jerry, Robert Fairchild is muscular and exciting, and there’s a charming ease in his movement, a gravity-defying sprezzatura. When dance predominates, especially in the pair's most eloquently intimate scenes, this is a glorious experience.
Until Sept 30, Dominion Theatre
