N.B. This review is based on a PREVIEW performance
It is surprising that it has taken this long for someone to connect the dots between Henry Fielding's 1749 restoration romp The History Of Tom Jones, A Foundling and the music of the Welsh sex bomb himself, Sir Tom Jones. But connect them they have, and now a brand new juke box musical going under the banner of What's New Pussycat? is premiering at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with eyes clearly on a London transfer.
The producers have gathered together a hit squad of a creative team including writer Joe DiPietro (Memphis), director Luke Sheppard (& Juliet) and choreographer Dame Arlene Phillips (Starlight Express). DiPietro has made the decision to move the setting from its original 18th century locale to the swinging 1960s. To bring you up to speed Tom Jones is living in Somerset, the ward of a wealthy benefactor having been abandoned as a baby by parents unknown. He has fallen for the beautiful Mary Weston, whose mother certainly doesn't approve of the union. She believes Mary would be much better suited to William Blilfil, a hooray henry solicitor. In order to get temptation out of the way, Lord Allworthy sees that Jones is despatched to London where he meets Mr. Partridge, a former teacher of his, and most importantly the wily Lady Bellaston, a showbiz entrepreneur. Naturally Tom is blessed with a terrific singing voice, and lands himself a gig at trendy nightclub The Record Sleeve. Mary meanwhile is also heading to London with dreams of being a fashion designer. Their paths are destined to cross again.
And so the scene is set for a story of excess and true love, in the way all the best musicals deliver. Naturally the entire evening depends on the charismatic performance of Tom Jones himself - that is to say the character of Tom Jones which all the publicity tells us is Henry Jones' rake not Sir Tom Jones (after all the story of a singer coming to London and getting a record contract whilst openly a bit of a lad in the romantic stakes, is nothing like Sir Tom's story at all!) Dominic Andersen fits the bill perfectly, with a winning smile, a powerful voice and top hip moves. Everything needed to make Tom the object of desire not only of Mary, but the audience as well. This is helped when he strips to his underwear revealing an ultra toned body. Andersen's performances of some of Sir Tom's greatest hits are a winner, ensuring that we are very much on his side despite his sometimes caddish behaviour. Bronté Barbé as Mary, the object of his desire brings a torch song delivery to "Without Love" and rightly stops the show. Mary is the down to earth girl we know Tom needs, but he is distracted by the cougar that is Lady Bellaston played by Kelly Price. All sass and no knickers, she strives to keep Tom for herself.
There is fine support from bubbly Ashley Campbell as Tom's erstwhile tutor Mr. Partridge who, in a not too subtle sub plot, encounters a boutique manager named only The Girl In The Polka Dot Dress (there is a guessing game as to her actual name which is revealed near the end) with Rebecca Hinds giving her 'Hello darlin'' Pat Butcher school of East London charm. Again their duet "Help Yourself" proves one of the evenings highlights. Harry Kershaw as Blifil, the smarmy solicitor who believes he is the right one for Mary, is another well sculpted performance. The audience promptly fell under the spell of Lemuel Knights' rendition of "Delilah" which is off the scale wonderful. A word too in praise of the high energy ensemble who sing their hearts out and deliver some stunning dance moves along the way. They make the show the infectious joy it is.
Jon Bausor's multi-purpose set and Janet Bird's evocative costumes give the production a very strong visual flavour, mixing elements of 1960s pop culture with more foppish historical influences. If I have one criticism its that DiPietro's script needs a bit of work in the first act. The early scenes feel a bit ploddy but of course this is a preview performance, and there is plenty of scope for revising and amending. Act Two is a breeze as the camp-ometer revs up to maximum.
Musical director Josh Sood leads his superb eight piece band into some serious pop and soul. I think one of the things I have missed most during the long Covid closed season is hearing a live band just raise the rafters with their glorious talent. We have it here in spades.
What's New Pussycat? has the makings of a major hit show and it is fair to say the reception on the night I went was ecstatic. And why shouldn't it be. The show has the blessing of some of the biggest hits of Sir Tom's 1960s chart topping peak, not to mention several from his career reviving Reload album from 1999. Right now this country needs some feel good vibes, What's New Pussycat? has two hours worth of sheer pleasure. Mama told me not to come, but I'm bloody glad I did.
Rob Cope for Doctor Theatre
For further information visit the official website whatsnewmusical.com
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