Following a hugely successful West End debut at London’s Duchess Theatre earlier this year, and a nationwide tour, acclaimed singer and comedienne Liza Pulman (Fascinating Aïda) and virtuoso pianist and singer Joe Stilgoe bring their sparkling celebration of Hollywood’s greatest musical moments to Chichester and Wilton’s Music Hall, London this autumn.
From The Wizard of Oz to Wicked, West Side Story to La La Land, Hooray for Hollywood is a dazzling celebration of the songs that have defined musical theatre on film — combining exceptional musicianship, warmth, wit and plenty of Hollywood magic. It’s an evening of glorious songs, laughter and musical escapism, performed by two hugely accomplished entertainers with a shared love of the great Hollywood songbook.
Review by Stephen Gilchrist.
Liza Pulman and Joe Stilgoe are two very talented people, both in their own right and in their dynastic ancestry. Joe is the son of acclaimed lyricist Richard Stilgoe and Liza’s dad was Jack Pulman, who, to those of us of a certain age was the renowned television screenwriter of the 1976 adaptations of the Robert Graves’s Claudius novels.
Liza is one third of the satirical trio, Fascinating Aida and Joe a singer, pianist and composer of no mean ability. In fact, I had the pleasure of taking a young’un some years ago to this very theatre to see two of his shows, Jungle Book and The Midnight Gang. And so, you could imagine that the audience for this joyous array of numbers from Hollywood movies were in for something special and the duo did not disappoint. They have been hanging around together, so to speak, for a few years now and have developed a charming rapport with each other and with the audience.
The stage was bare save for a piano, two Director’s movie chairs, and a suitcase. Oh yes, and a double bass which Stilgoe plucked during one sequence.
The set opened with a number which, I assume, was crafted by Stilgoe ‘Why Won’t You Take Me to the Movies’, one of those songs which references a multitude of movie titles. There followed in dizzying numbers and in spectacular arrangements which showed off Stilgoe‘s versatility on the keys, a two-hour set of firm audience favourites, sometimes in familiar settings but in other times in clever, often jazzier arrangements.
There was ‘Singing in the Rain’, ‘American in Paris’, a delightful medley from My Fair Lady (‘Wouldn’t it be Loverly’ and ‘I’ve Grown Accustomed to her Face’), a terrific Rodgers and Hammerstein twosome of People Will Say We’re in Love’ and ‘If I Loved You’, some Sondheim from Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods, and a touching rendition of ‘Sunrise, Sunset’ from Fiddler, following on from a surprising account by Pulman of her Jewish ancestry in a shetl in Poland.
Pulman is a singer of the first rank. Not only does she have a fine, fine voice, but she has a gift for impersonation. It is unsurprising that she also has her own show ‘Liza Pulman sings Streisand’. She echoes, on occasion, that great diva, in her lyric soprano, crisp diction, effortless power and breath control. She didn’t do a bad job as Julie Andrews either, in ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’.
The songs came thick and fast, sometimes as solos, sometimes duets but always interesting and fun. Stilgoe was given his own moment in the sun for a five-minute compendium of movie soundtracks played at speed, with amazing dexterity, and without music. I was half inclined to call him a show off, but on reflection his talent is such that he is entitled to show it off!
The show was stylishly lit and the performers elegantly costumed. It was a pleasure to see the care which had been lavished on appearance. The between songs chatter often jokingly referenced Chichester which pleased the local house no end, and audience participation was called for in ‘Do-Re-Me’ from Sound of Music. Audience participation is not really my cup of tea – perhaps my theatrical palate has become too jaded, but this audience adored it!
As a lover of musicals, I adored every minute of this joyful evening of exquisite talent and delightful surprises which, and I can only speak personally, was like being presented with a large bowl of vanilla ice-cream covered in chocolate sauce. I just kept wanting more and more. I was a kid again loving all this splendid music as if first time round. Gorgeous and glorious and highly recommended!
Cast
- Liza Pulman – Vocals
- Joe Stilgoe – Piano and vocals
