An irascible leading lady in a major musical production is suddenly indisposed and replaced by a young chorine who seems initially gauche and incompetent.
This decision is met with great enthusiasm by the more experienced chorus girls of the company, who selflessly forgo their own yearnings after years of hard slog. Hardly likely, really, given the ambition these women would aspire to.
With such an inauspicious start, it is unsurprising to find 42nd Street a rather insubstantial experience.
The evening belongs to the dancers as the show's star', Paul Nicholas, may as well have telephoned in his performance. But the young performers who still have plenty of enthusiasm made the evening.
Jessica Punch and Ashley Nottingham as Peggy Sawyer and Billy Lawlor deserve praise in an otherwise soulless production.
- Until Saturday, 2.30pm & 7.30pm, £17.50-£30, 01323 412000
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