Critical acclaim for city-born show tipped as West End hit

THEATRE critics are predicting that a new show created in Plymouth will be a massive West End hit.

- CLARE AINSWORTH

The Artist premiered at the Theatre Royal on Monday to an enchanted auditorium and has already received highly-rated reviews.

The Telegraph has given the show its top five stars, describing it as an an artistic triumph that has ‘West End-bound hit’ written all over it.

Critic Dominic Cavendish adds: “Every beat of the piece abounds with playfulness and surreal inventiveness.”

Meanwhile, The Guardian decribes the production as an “effervescent and delightfully inventive stage show, which anticipates a longer life after a short run in Plymouth.”

Directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, and starring Robbie Fairchild, the show is based on Michel Hazanavicius’ Academy Award-winning film. The cast is led by dancer and actor Robbie Fairchild playing silent movie icon George Valentin, with West End star Gary Wilmot as Al Zimmer, and rising star Briana Craig as Peppy Miller.

The Stage, known as the bible of the theatre industry, has also given the show a five-star review, describing it as stylish and slick.