Phillip Attmore and Amara Okereke in Top Hat at Edinburgh Playhouse and Touring. Picture: Johan Persson
Top Hat was reviewed at Edinburgh Playhouse where it continues until 4 October 2025. The tour continues until 11 April 2026.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
Harking back to the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musical movie Top Hat is an absolutely delicious treat. Director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall is clear in her intent to avoid creating a ‘museum piece’, but also references the original 1935 film in terms of style of dance and iconic costume choices.
Irving Berlin’s score sweeps along under Stephen Ridley’s musical direction. Packed with so many well-known songs such as ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’, ‘Cheek to Cheek’ and of course the title number, along with memorable dance music, it’s fair to say Berlin would approve.
The choreography is immaculate, featuring dazzling solo dance and stunning unison tap dancing from this wonderfully talented cast. Syncopation in full cast tap dancing numbers is delivered flawlessly and often flamboyantly.
The plot, such as it is, tells the story of famous American entertainer Jerry Travers (Phillip Attmore) and his pursuit of Dale Tremont (Amara Okereke). Along the way there are mistaken identities and some divinely witty banter that draws in Horace (James Hume) and his wife Madge (Sally Ann Triplett).
Attmore leads the company with charm, cheek and sheer exuberance. His Jerry Travers tackles life head-on, pushing forward relentlessly, a smile never far from his lips. He switches nicely into song and dance and is convincingly full of adoration for his leading lady. Okereke is adorably feisty, with excellent dead-pan timing. Both voices blend well and their dance numbers are fun yet elegant. Great casting.
The sub-plot of Horace and Madge is ditheringly comical with both Triplett and Hume getting full value from every comedic moment. Special mention must be made of Horace’s manservant, Bates (James Clyde). Their bickering partnership is pitched just right; no over-the-top diversion, just a well-worked partnership that makes getting laughs seem all too easy. Hugely enjoyable.
Staging is lavish, making great use of the central revolving stage to swiftly switch between the detailed furnishings for the various locations. The ensemble direction often comes into its own in these exquisite scene changes. It’s good to see some more contemporary pairings in the ensemble movement where same-sex couples are just a natural part of the groupings.
Top Hat is a light and frothy indulgent show: an escape from day to day life. The original show was born in 1935 – a time of poverty for many and the fear of another war breaking out in Europe. No wonder there’s a resonance with today’s audience as we take ourselves away from the affairs of the world to celebrate affairs of the heart.
Fiona Orr
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