Copacabana

Photo Credit: Alan Martin/AMSI

Reviewed by: Patricia Connor on 28 June 2018
Venue: Little Theatre - Southport
Date: 27- 30 Jun 2018
Type of Production:  Musical
Book, Lyrics & Music by Barry Manilow, Bruce Sussman & Jack Feldman 

Directed by Stephen Hughes-Alty
Musical Director Chris Rimmer
Choreographer Pippa Morris

‘Copacabana” was originally an American television film made in 1985 that had new songs written by Barry Manilow with lyrics by Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman and is based on Manilow’s 1978 hit song of the same name. Then in 1994, the film was expanded into a three million dollar full-length musical which premiered at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on the 21st March in the same year.

The production team of Director Stephen Hughes-Alty, Musical Director Chris Rimmer and Choreographer Pippa Morris expertly guided the cast and gave them lots of opportunity to shine during the lively colourful production numbers, which resulted in a very enjoyable lively show. The story is rather light weight with a touch of drama towards the end, but it is still a feel good show, full of energy,colour and romance. We are introduced to struggling songwriter Stephen, who feels his marriage lacks excitement and he takes his wife Samantha for granted. He gets immersed in writing a song set in 1948 New York, about Bartender/Songwriter Tony, who falls in love with wannabe showgirl Lola, who has just arrived from Oklahoma, with showbiz aspirations and is convinced she will find stardom, at Manhattan's famous Copacabana Club. Tony helps her to become a Copa Girl and they fall in love. Unfortunately one night Lola, attracts the amorous attentions of Rico, the owner of Havana's Tropicana Club, she is drugged then kidnaped and taken to Havana by Rico and he promises to make her famous. But Tony and his friends from the Copacabana Club promptly set off for Havana to rescue Lola, but this results in conflict drama and unfortunately a stand off which ends in a shooting, however, unlike the original song the story of Lola and Tony ends happily. Stephen then realises that Lola is in fact his wife Samantha and finally understands just how much he loves her which provides a nice arc and ending to the show.

John Delahunty was very convincing in the dual roles of composers Stephen and Tony giving an excellent all round performance, he worked very well with Toni Spofforth who was full of energy and just right for the role of feisty self assured Lola, they made a lovely believable couple. Then there was ex-Copa Girl and now club cigarette seller Gladys who befriends and advises Lola, played by Amanda Shaw who was just right for this part giving a great rendition of the song Copa Girl, which outlines the benefits of being a show-girl. Dom Tolley as Rico owner of the Tropicana Club, had a nice tone to his singing voice and was able to produce that dangerous but charming Latin quality needed in this role as did Janine Burrows as Conchita his long time suffering girlfriend and star of the Tropicana Club, who by the end of the story, shows that she does have a heart, both Dom and Janine had very good Latin American accents.Then

there was Ian Lawson as Sam the Manager of The Copacabana, who is gifted with very good comic timing and added to the feel good factor of the show by producing some really great comedy in his role. All accents and the characterisations were excellent and very well maintained throughout the performance. There was very upbeat energetic supportive performances from the enthusiastic Copa Girls and the men and women of the chorus who sang very well, all executing the dynamic lively choreography with energy experience and unity, looking if they were enjoying themselves very much and they all seamed to be well rehearsed.The cast were supported by a quality lively orchestra who were led expertly by Musical Director Chris Rimmer giving that extra dimension to the energetic upbeat feel of the show.

There was just one basic stage set which was used efficiently, scenes were changed and dressed by using suitable props, brought on stage by the crew and also the cast, which resulted in smooth transitions between scenes, enabling the show to run smoothly and at a good pace which is very important in this kind of high energy feel good show. Good efficient technical input and colourful very striking costumes all added to the success of this show. Well done to all the crew and back stage workers for an excellent job.

Congratulations to Stephen Hughes- Alty and to everyone involved in bringing this production to the stage, the audience appeared delighted with this colourful energetic very entertaining show and thank you for making us so welcome, hope to see you again soon.