Gypsy: Live from the Savoy Theatre

GYPSY lays claim to being a Broadway standard; associated in the public mind with Ethel Merman, it was filmed rather unmemorably in 1962 with a miscast Rosalind Russell.

It's a good story with a score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim that combines tragedy with the brassiness of vaudeville.

First presented at the Chichester Festival Theatre in October 2014 and transferring to the West End in April, Jonathan Kent's production has a stellar performance by Imelda Staunton as Momma Rose. With her three-cornered hat and waddling gait, she creates an obsessive character whose desire for Gypsy's stardom drives her to excess. The song "Everything's Coming Up Roses," is delivered with a kind of manic glee, while in "Rose's Turn," she mimics the striptease that made Louise a big star, suggesting a women on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

The supporting cast includes Peter Davison as a suitable foil as Herbie. The remainder of the cast put across their lines with enthusiasm, even if their American accents tend to waver somewhat.

The only cavil that might be leveled at this production is the rather flat filming. Little attempt has been made to exploit the Savoy's space; and there are rather too many reaction-shots punctuating the action.

Am very fond of 'Gypsy' as a musical, and find it pretty much a masterpiece of character and music. The music sticks in the head for a long time, mixing comedy, tragedy and vaudeville with adept ease, and the lyrics sparkle in both wit and emotion (then again it is Stephen Sondheim, who is a genius with lyrics). The heart and spirit in the story always has the ability to resonate.

Both film versions, the 1962 one with Rosalind Russell and the 1993 one with Bette Midler, are well worth watching though neither as good as the musical. Don't know what my preference is between the two, put them about equal in quality though things in one version are better done in the other. The quality of production values, fun and emotional impact are equal for both version, and the supporting cast are better in the 1962 film in my opinion, while Midler's has the better staging and Midler's singing superior to Russell's. 'Gypsy Live' for me is better than both and is a great production, feeling like the musical come to life which is exactly what the feeling should be like.

Do agree that the filming is a little flat and should have been far more expansive. There is so little to fault though.

The production values are bright and colourful, the kitchiness more than appealing and appropriate. The music is still unforgettable, the energy and pathos never lost, and the wit and emotion of the lyrics come over in a way that's very funny and very poignant. It's beautifully performed with lots of brassy power and also nuance, going at a lively pace.

Will always love the script too, which is often droll but also sincere, nothing is one-dimensional or too much of one thing or emotion in 'Gypsy' which is what is so great about it. The story has lost none of its heart and spirit, and the staging is always lively and smooth and like it comes easily to the cast, didn't see any clunkiness here. The comedy and tragedy is balanced beautifully, did find myself laughing and crying and this is not me being hyperbolic, very like the rest of this review which is a one hundred percent genuine one. Nothing is excessively overblown or static.

Everybody in the cast are excellent with no real weak link, the accents may be come and go and Peter Davison's raspiness is not always appealing on the ear but they were overlookable when the passion and energy was so brilliant. It is Imelda Staunton's, in the title role, show all the way though, she doesn't just play Mamma Rose, she is Mamma Rose.

In conclusion, absolutely great. 9/10

Imelda Staunton did a terrific job in playing Mama Rose in the classic and timeless "Gypsy" musical production on stage at the Savoy Theatre in London, England. I can see why she won an Olivier Award and was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire). She'll be Dame Imelda one day. Her performance is heartbreaking and complex of emotion. Every musical theatre student should watch this production as an assignment. Her performance displayed her range of talent, singing and acting as well. Until I saw this version on DVD, I never thought of her as a musical theatrical actress. I was surely wrong. Imelda is a scene stealer but she has an excellent supporting cast like Peter Davison (Herbie) and Lara Pulver (Louise). This production might be entirely filmed for stage. For those of us who can't afford the theatre or get to London to see the production, the DVD is the next best thing for an audience. More people will see this on DVD than live on stage.

I enjoyed the opportunity to see this live (filmed) production, as a movie simply can't compete with a staged version. That said, the characters were all very LOUD and mostly very overplayed. Rose was very one-note throughout, with very little depth or nuance. Neither Louise nor June had much personality, and Louise was much too old, especially in the scenes where she's supposed to be in her teens/20's.

The true stars of the show were the three strippers, Mazzepa (Louise Gold), Electra (Julie Legrand) and Tessie Tura (Anita Louise Combe), who were properly recognized by the audience. They obviously had a lot of fun, and I was pleased to see that these roles were all played by women over 50. Sorry, Rose, these ladies "got it" far more than you do.