Last year MPO proved they could do big musical numbers extremely well. MPO’s next production is a hit Broadway musical THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, which carried off 5 Tonys in New York and was also nominated for several awards in London and the USA.
It’s a very funny send up of 1920s Hollywood musicals, with an implausible plot, even more implausible characters, and some great music and dancing from the Jazz age.
The entire show is set in the apartment of a musical theatre fan who decides to play his favourite LP, which comes to life in his living room.
The story concerns a wedding. The Drowsy Chaperone of the title (“Drowsy” is an American euphemism for drunk) has the job of keeping the bride, a Broadway star who is giving up fame and the footlights to get married, away from her bridegroom, an oil heir, on their wedding day. Needless to say, she fails.
The star’s producer, one Mr Feldzieg (no relation to the famous Zeigfeld!) is hell bent on preventing the wedding, as he will be bankrupted following the loss of his biggest star. Several jovial gangsters, disguised as pastry chefs, are also trying to frustrate the match. They work for an anonymous third party , the biggest investorin the show. They intend to punish Feldzeig if he fails.
The plot is further enlivened by the antics of the groom’s Best man, George (played by a girl), a latin lothario, Adolpho and a wanabee Broadway star, Kitty.
Most of the MPO regulars are in the show, including Jessie Stones, Sukie Read and Lloyd Davies, making a welcome return in a leading role. They are joined by some talented newcomers. Everyone is being being worked hard by director Karen Pankhurst. This is her second show. She directed last years’ highly enjoyable “Everything Goes” and has featured in several successful MPO productions.