West Side Story: Newcastle Theatre Royal

WEST Side Story is as much dance drama as it is musical. It is also one of the most challenging of works to stage so it is a brave, perhaps even foolhardy, company that takes on this most complex of stage shows. But from the opening notes to the final, carefully managed curtain-call, this assured production by the Newcastle Musical Theatre Company never puts a choreographed foot wrong. Sandra Laidler’s direction and choreography, and Malcolm Moffat’s musical direction is confident, creative and fully respecting of Leonard Bernstein’s music and Jerome Robbins’ original choreography and conception for the show.

And what perfect timing for a revival of this socially savvy drama with immigration and racial prejudice at its core. There’s no escaping current thoughts of European migrants and renewed racial tensions in the US.

And from this tension arises the emotional heart of the piece – the love affair between Tony of the Jets and the newly arrived Puerta Rican, Maria. Jamie Douglass brings a mesmerising stillness to his delivery of Maria and Something’s Coming. He portrays Tony’s innocence and growing love for the girl he has just met to perfection and is complemented by Nikki Cunningham’s delightful Maria, their combined duets emotionally charged and their inevitable downfall touchingly portrayed.

Lauren Gordon’s Anita, Ken Allan’s Doc and the assured dancing of Jack Hindmarch all deserve mention, but so too do many others who contributed to this moving and skilfully staged revival, so perhaps it is enough to say, quite simply, it is a triumph.

* Runs until Saturday, July 23. Box Office: 08448-112121 or theatreroyal.co.uk

Laurence Sach