Jodie Jacobs in Jest End at the Waterloo East Theatre, London. Picture: Garry Lake
Jest End continues at the Waterloo East Theatre, London until 6 December.
Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩
Has it really been eight years since we were first treated to Garry Lake’s wicked sense of humour in Jest End at the Jermyn Street Theatre? Much may have changed in the West End since then – indeed the Waterloo East Theatre was only a twinkle in Gerald Armin’s eye – but there’s still plenty of fuel for Lake’s particular brand of musical parody.
Aping the continuing success of Forbidden Broadway, Lake’s formula is fairly simple, writing new lyrics to slip into adapted show tunes that lampoon anything from West End business practices to star temperaments. There are no sacred cows here it seems, with everybody from Lloyd Webber to Cameron Mackintosh taking a hit.
Long-runner The Phantom of the Opera is lampooned beautifully by Lizzy Connelly singing up a storm as a Part-Time Christine, while the movie version of Les Misérables opens a whole new avenue of satire summed up in the chorus ‘One More Year’. Killian Donnelly’s current run of hits, including The Commitments, Memphis and Kinky Boots, is bolstered by a passion for his own fan-base, explored in the number ‘My Fans Believe in Me’, featuring a wry Scott Garnham. In fact Garnham continues the theme for the wickedly judged ‘I Am Barrowman’, that pokes fun at panto-land’s favourite Prince Charming.
Frances Ruffelle, Cassidy Janson, Louise Dearman and Rachel Tucker all come in for an affectionate ribbing but it doesn’t all work. Digs at Hairspray and The Little Mermaid fall flat, and unless you take are a big fan of West End musicals, many of the references may be lost on you. There is also a near-the-knuckle pop at producer David Babani – Simon Bailey dressed as Willy Wonka – churning out hits from his very own chocolate factory. He is joined by the uber-talented Jodie Jacobs, flattening her vowels in imitation of Sheridan Smith singing ‘I’d Rather Be Poor’.
Although an ensemble show, Jacobs stands out as a stunningly versatile comedy performer, whether playing a break-dancing Billy Elliot, a neurotic Cassidy Janson or a cavalier Sheridan Smith. The real star however is Lake and his ability to make a serious point, while parodying a show tune. None more so than his adaptation of ‘Money, Money’ from Cabaret, performed by a chorus of elves bemoaning the fact that they ‘Get Paid a Pound’, while the producers hike up the price of the theatre tickets to record proportions.
June Brice
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