Pretty Woman The Musical is based on the 1990s rom-com film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Having seen the film, I couldn’t help but wonder if this UK tour would live up to expectations.
The musical is set in the late 80s, with Vivian Ward as a feisty Hollywood prostitute, while Edward Lewis is a hard-nosed businessman. When they first meet, he asks her for directions, which he pays her for. He ends up paying her to stay with him for the week in his hotel.
Vivian experiences high-end shopping and various social events whilst keeping her feet firmly on the ground. Their relationship develops as the week unravels.
Strictly winner Ore Oduba, plays a standout performance as the narrator Happy Man and Mr Thompson the hotel manager. Not only is he a brilliant dancer, but he really holds the audience in the palm of his hand with his acting and singing, too.
And he is not the only one that stands out in this production. The leading roles of Love Island winner Amber Davis as Vivian Ward and Oliver Savile as Edward Lewis are also outstanding. Davis plays Vivian’s role to perfection – the streetwise prostitute with a vulnerable side which begins to show as she becomes less confident in unfamiliar places and situations.
Savile is equally as perfect in the role of Edward, who has a change of heart about the ruthless deals he once thought nothing of. Both roles are equally as powerful, and they have a great chemistry on stage. Their solo performances and voices are equally as impressive.
One of my favourite scenes has to be when Vivian is preparing for a night out with Edward and Mr Thompson takes it upon himself to teach her how to tango, and somehow the bellboy, Giulio, played by Noah Harrison, gets involved. In fact, Giulio gets involved with quite a lot of scenes, with hilarious results.
Natalie Paris also plays a really strong character in Kit de Luca, Vivian’s friend who taught her all she knows. Her vocals in the rock number Rodeo Drive really brought her character to life and were so powerful.
With music and lyrics by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, the cast deliver some really strong numbers throughout. The colourful costumes are perfect for the scenes, and the set changes keep the storyline moving along perfectly. The neon lights of the blue banana club, and Edward’s hotel room complete with grand piano were two of my favourite sets.
Did this musical live up to expectations? Absolutely, the standing ovation was well deserved and audiences going to see it at Curve are in for a treat.
★★★★★
