West Side Story: New York Comes to London

With a thundering applause, the curtain falls on what can only be described as magnificent. The 50th anniversary production of the world famous West Side Story provides a vibrant, colourful and passionate rendition of one of the frequently acclaimed “best loved musicals of all time.”

For those not familiar with the plot it follows the illicit affair between Tony and Maria, lovers from warring gangs the Jets and the newly arrived Puerto Rican Sharks. This re-telling of the Romeo and Juliet love saga is set in the Upper West Side in 1950s New York, as the gangs take to the streets to claim their turf.

The role of Maria is shared by Elisa Cordova and Sofia Escobar, and Tony is divided between Ryan Silverman and Scott Sussman.

Escobar and Silverman, on this particular evening, are excellent. The classics, such as ‘Somewhere’ and ‘Tonight’ are performed with an operatic feel, although the Latino accents sometimes seem a little exaggerated.

Oneika Phillips is outstanding as Anita, and a highlight of the show is brought on by the barefoot Puerto Rican beauties comparing their lives in San Juan and New York, culminating in a fever pitched rendition of ‘America’.

The knife fight scenes are particularly poignant as Britain experiences its tragic knife epidemic. Yet what dawns on one is that gangs, knives and territorial violence are enduring global issues, whether you’re in the New York of Bernstein or the London of Boris.

Paul Gallis’ cleverly constructed set of balconies and stairways provide continual movement and variation. Set against the backdrop of photographic images of New York, the shifting scenes are skilfully set for each passionate encounter.

The light-hearted sequence where Krupke the policeman questions the Jets about the murders leads to a hilarious mimicry of their delinquency and a cleverly choreographed impersonation of Krupke and the police themselves.

Director Joey McNeely brings Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece to life whilst the performers put on a spectacular display of energy and physicality, with each energetic dance number performed to split second perfection, and costumes dazzling with vibrant colour.

West Side Story sold out in Paris, Tokyo and Beijing so you will need to be quick to snap up tickets when it moves to New Wimbledon Theatre in October.

West Side Story is at Sadler’s Wells until 31 August, then at New Wimbledon Theatre from 14 October – 1 November