The UK tour of Top Hat, currently playing at New Wimbledon Theatre in London, might be just the ticket if you’ve missed out on the ballot for Strictly Come Dancing. With old-school jazz, musical theatre pizzazz, and choreography that’ll quite literally blow your top (hat), this production bursts with joy from start to finish.
Act 1 opens with a bang – the iconic Irving Berlin number Puttin’ on the Ritz. Phillip Attmore kicks things off in style and continues to dazzle as Jerry Travers, leading the company with undeniable star quality and tap skills that would give Fred Astaire a run for his money. His vocal tone, reminiscent of Gene Kelly, may not be the most powerful, but it perfectly suits the show’s vintage style.
James Hume (Horace Hardwick) and James Clyde (Bates) deliver standout performances, their sharp comedic timing and onstage chemistry a genuine highlight. Lindsay Atherton, stepping into the role of Dale Tremont at the last moment, does a remarkable job under pressure. After a small tumble in Act 1, she returns visibly injured yet utterly unfazed – not missing a beat. Her dancing is elegant and captivating, though her vocals occasionally strain during the bigger solo moments. Alex Gibson-Giorgio brings brilliant charisma to Alberto Beddini, wickedly funny and vocally strong, particularly in his Act 2 solo.
Act 1 soars to a dazzling close, and it’s not until the opening of Act 2 that we realise something’s been missing – the inimitable Sally Anne Triplett. As Madge Hardwick, she strides onstage and immediately threatens to steal the show. Her vocals, her timing, her sheer presence – all impeccable. Yet even she is rivalled by Kathleen Marshall’s choreography, which remains the true star of the evening. There’s nothing quite like seeing classic Broadway-style dance – tap, ballroom, and jazz – performed to this level of perfection.
Top Hat embodies everything that makes musical theatre so special: the music, the dance, the storytelling. They simply don’t make them like this anymore. It may not change the world, but it’ll certainly lift your spirits. A glorious night of unbridled joy.
Reviewer-Olivia Ruggiero
Four Stars.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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