Some Like It Hotter is fast and funny

Paul Matania, Sarah Applewood and Daniel Lloyd in Some Like It Hotter. Picture: Alastair Muir

Some Like It Hotter, a touring production, reviewed at the Devonshire Theatre, Eastbourne (15-18 May).

Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, the stars of the iconic film Some Like it Hot, are reunited in the afterlife. They have been restored to their younger, beautiful and sexy selves and find themselves in one of Heaven’s waiting rooms. Here they are required to greet and meet newly deceased members of the film’s fan club and to help them enjoy the ‘Some Like it Hot Theme Park Experience’ before they properly pass through to “the other side”.

The story revolves around new arrival Charlie, a loner who has spent his whole life with, and looking after, his mother, and both are avid fans. Curtis and Lemmon know of his childhood wish to have played in the film’s band and give him the opportunity to do so as a pianist under the name of Red Hot Charlie. They are joined by Monroe, idolised by Charlie, in acting out act scenes from the film.

The witty script by Richard Hurford cleverly interweaves these scenes with the revealing of Charlie’s life and secrets. There is a Pirandello type twist as both Charlie and Curtis try to rewrite the script’s ending. The show, directed by Karen Simpson, is fast and funny but is more a musical play than a musical. The numbers are incidentals that entertain rather than advance the story.  There are no original numbers – all are classics from the early part of the 20th century. The show opens with ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ and ends with ‘I Wanna Be Loved By You’. As one would expect from a Watermill Theatre originated production (now also presented by Fresh Glory Productions in association with Eastbourne Theatres), the music is provided by the actors themselves.

Daniel Lloyd captures the essence of Jack Lemmon with snappy wisecracks and the characteristic laugh, while Paul Matania has all the swagger and conceit of Curtis. They do full justice to some wonderful bitchy exchanges and successfully drag up to re-create their alter egos – Daphne and Josephine.

But their fine performances are eclipsed by Sarah Applewood as Monroe – she has the looks, moves and voice to perfection. Her tender rendition of ‘I’m Through With Love’ is beautifully moving. Patrick Bridgman, originator of the part of Charlie at the Watermill, gives a solid performance of the nondescript outsider who slowly comes out of his shell and is able to move on. The principals are well supported by Sophie Byrne and Andrew Venning who play minor characters as well as various musical instruments.

Barrie Jerram