Top Hat

There may be trouble ahead,
But while there’s moonlight, and music,
And love, and romance…
Let’s face the music and dance

You’re invited to the musical equivalent of a finest vintage champagne. Effervescent, elegant and exhilarating, Top Hat is a heady romantic cocktail laced with sparklingly witty dialogue, stunning choreography, lavish sets and gorgeous costumes. Irving Berlin’s irresistible score includes some of Hollywood’s greatest songs, the immortal Cheek to Cheek, Let’s Face the Music and Dance, Top Hat White Tie and Tails and Puttin’ on the Ritz.

Based on the classic 1935 film which starred Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the stage adaptation’s West End premiere won the 2013 Olivier Award for Best New Musical and the Evening Standard Award for Best Night Out. Acclaimed American director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall, whose Tony and Olivier Award-winning production of Anything Goes recently wowed audiences and critics in London and on television, comes to Chichester to stage this brand-new production.

When Broadway star Jerry Travers arrives in London to open a new show, he crosses paths with model Dale Tremont, whose beauty sleep is rudely interrupted by Jerry tap dancing in the hotel suite above hers. Instantly smitten, Jerry vows to abandon his bachelor life to win her – but the path of true love never does run smooth. Especially since Dale has mistaken Jerry for his hapless producer Horace, who’s trying to avoid the wrath of his formidable wife Madge, and Dale’s own fiery Italian admirer is planning a trip to Venice for her to showcase his couture gowns…

Simon Tuck from Early Breakfast saw it and said

Top Hat at Milton Keynes Theatre: A Dazzling Trip Back in Time

“There may be trouble ahead, but while there's moonlight, and music, and love, and romance… let's face the music and dance.”

These famous lyrics from Irving Berlin's classic song feel like the perfect summary for the stage production of Top Hat. This show is an absolute treat, a joyful escape into a world of timeless songs and old-school romance.

Set to a magnificent score of Berlin's greatest hits—including "Cheek to Cheek," "Puttin’ on the Ritz," and of course, "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails"—the story follows the charming American dancer Jerry Travers, played with effortless style by Phillip Attmore. After being invited to London by his friend Horace Hardwick, he quickly finds himself in a series of hilarious mix-ups after meeting the beautiful Dale Tremont, brilliantly played by Amara Okereke. She mistakenly believes Jerry is Horace, and what follows is a whirlwind of misunderstandings, dazzling dance numbers, and budding romance.

The production itself is a visual spectacle. The sets are a key part of the show's magic, with seamless, quick changes on a rotating stage that transport you from a London hotel to the canals of Venice in an instant. While the stage crew was occasionally heard, it was a minor distraction from an otherwise flawless technical effort.

The standout performance of the night has to be James Clyde as the quirky valet Bates. His comedic timing and presence give the show a wonderful, lighthearted feel, reminiscent of a classic sitcom like Fawlty Towers.

The second half, despite being 75 minutes, absolutely flew by. The energy from the cast is infectious, and the dance numbers are a joy to watch. While the timing of the ensemble will only get better as the tour progresses, it's clear they are all incredibly talented.

If you love old-school musicals, classic films, or are a fan of Strictly Come Dancing, you are going to adore Top Hat. It’s a bright, fun, and spectacular night out that will leave you smiling from ear to ear.