REVIEW: Gypsy at The Mill at Sonning

Gather your sequins, feathers and battered suitcases… get on the railroad and travel into the shabby but seductive world of vaudeville.

Inspired by the story of the burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee, Gypsy is a captivating story studded with glorious songs by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim.

把两个情节是强大的上升her daughters on the stage, quiet dark-haired Louise and her younger sister June – all blonde ringlets, high kicks and exuberance.

Dressed always in boys’ clothes, doe-eyed Louise looks bemused by life and by showbusiness, happy to let ‘Baby’ June take the limelight while their mother plots the way to stardom.

Things look up when kindly Herbie falls for Rose and becomes the troupe’s manager as well as a father figure to the girls.

The segue from the child cast to adults for the act is beautifully done and we follow the family on the tour trail – though onwards does not mean upwards.

The sisters wonder about a more settled existence in the sweet and wistful song If Momma Got Married. But dreams of a life ‘as private as private can be’ is not something even palm-reading Louise believes.

When the troupe rebels and June cuts loose –poor Louise becomes the focus of Rose’s relentless spotlight.

As the appetite for vaudeville fades, Louise finds another kind of act and Gypsy Rose Lee is born…

Evelyn Hoskins as (adult Louise), Marina Tavolieri (adult June) and Daniel Crowder (Herbie) are eminently watchable and Rebecca Thornhill shines brightly as Rose - her Everything’s Coming Up Roses was a triumph.

I loved the versatile actor/musicians, especially the burlesque house valkyrie played by clarinetist and accordionist Susannah Van Den Berg.

Another stand-out number was You Gotta Get a Gimmick performed by Laura Tyrer as Tessie – she brought the house down.

And the young actors are delightful – top marks to baby Baby June for her hilariously winsome energy.

A lovely show, it makes you realise why people like Rose fall in love with theatre.

Gypsy will be playing at The Mill at Sonning until Saturday, July 15.