Bringing a fantastically irreverant look at the West End to the West End, Jest End doesn’t miss a beat from start to finish. Having watched previews of the show online I knew Jest End was slick, taking well known West End numbers and replacing lyrics with a series of fast paced, tongue in cheek romps through musical theatre past and present.

Combining well choreographed chorus numbers with wonderfully witty solo performances the show doesn’t take any prisoners, unashamedly taking the mick out of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cameron Mackintosh and just about everyone who has taken a part in a West End musical, or written one.

The most memorable numbers and those best carried off, even at tonight’s early stage of second preview, were almost entirely delivered by Laura Brydon whose Billy Elliot stole the first half and who sprang from Mary Poppins to Elphaba with apparent ease. Stuart Matthew Price demonstrates his full range, with drag and falsetto numbers and vocal gymnastics in his rendition of Bui Doi lamenting the fate of the Savoy Theatre. Chris Thatcher also seems to convincingly poke fun at every (over the hill) leading man in the West End including a hillarious send up of John Barrowman

This performance, early in the run, was not entirely smooth. Poor Jodie Jacobs spent the majority of her Wicked number trying not to fall out of her dress, which had stubornly refused to zip up but did impressive justice to the dance routine, though obviously hindered. One thing which was brilliantly clear however was that Jest End has a cast chalked full of real pros who seemed to be able to belt in their sleep. Managing to poke fun at the biggest songs in Town, whilst similtaniously giving those who sing them week in and week out a run for their money, is what really makes the show worth watching.

Jest End
Conceived by Garry Anthony Lake
Tues – Sat 20:00 Sat & Sun Mat 16:00 (100 mins)
November 17th 2009 – December 20th 2009
Jermyn Street Theatre, Jermyn Street, SW1Y 6ST.
Nr Tube: Picadilly Circus
£15 – £18.50 Box Office: 020 7287 2875
www.jestend.com

Photo credit: So_Jest_End on Flickr

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