“Saturday Night Fever”
Nottingham Theatre Royal

Saturday Night Fever tells the story of Tony Manero, and his reckless, yet thrilling road to dancing success. The film defined the disco era and who can forget that opening scene where John Travolta is walking down the street to “Stayin’ Alive”paint cans in hand.

Tony works in a paint store, and he's popular with the customers, but he is dreaming of moving up in the world. His heart lies in dancing as it’s the only place he gets ‘the buzz’ and feels that he is truly good at something.

His family make him feel he is a disappointment. The expectation of not being as good as his catholic priest brother is too much and he hopes of moving out of his parent’s home. His weekend escape into dancing at Club 2001 gives him the opportunity to win $1000 in a competition, and the chance to break free.

Tony is torn and the path to the prize is not simple. He has to choose between an old flame or to partner with the new dancer on the block. Does he want to win the competition or is he more interested in maintaining the respect and admiration of his friends?

This production was harder than I thought to review as I loved the film, but when a film is put to the stage, some things have to change, so i decided to forget, as much as I could the film, and indulge in the performance before me.

This isn't just one of those jukebox musicals as it has a story and it also has gritty and dark sub plots, which are ramped up in the second act of the musical. I had felt that there was something missing by the interval but after that the spark began to glow.

Dancer and actor Richard Winsor plays Manero, in his first leading role in a major musical. John Travolta’s boogie shoes are big ones to fill but Winsor has that swagger and he also has the moves, thanks to his dance background. Winsor was hypnotic as the lead swan in Matthew Bourne's "Swan Lake", and he gets to show off some of those ballet moves in the second act to "Immortality".

I did notice that at times, Richard, seemed a little detached with some of the disco moves, almost as if he was going through the motions. Or maybe this was the concentration Manero put into his dance moves. Whatever, you can't take anything away from the energy and excitement of this choreography and Richard's execution of them.

One further note, I'd stick to the dancing and the acting, just maybe not do too many vocals.

It's not just Richard though who created excitement with his dancing because he was surrounded by a host of wonderful movers.

Olivia Fines (Stephanie) not only showed great flexibility through dance but she has a beautiful voice, as highlighted in "What Kind Of Fool".

Faizal Jaye as DJ Monty was brilliant and encapsulated everything about the personality disco DJ of the 70's club scene.

Will Luckett (Bobby C) proved to be a fluid dancer and convincing character actor, but his vocals on "Tragedy" were lost.

I was also a bit disappointed with the choreography of "Tragedy" as they seemed to borrow the moves from Steps.

The musical features The Bee Gees' greatest hits including "Stayin' Alive", "How Deep Is Your Love", "Night Fever", "Words" "Too Much Heaven", "You Should Be Dancing", "Jive Talkin'" and "More Than a Woman" as well as 70's favourites "Boogie Shoes", "Disco Inferno" etc.

A cracking live band on stage created that 70's club sound with Jake Byrom, James Kenneth Haughan and Danny Knott performing as The Bee Gees.

It is directed and produced by Bill Kenwright, with exciting choreography by Olivier Award winning Bill Deamer,

Set designs by Gary McCaan, and the giant mirror which showed the illuminated floor, also made it look like a full club with the dancers doubled.

An amazing lighting design by Nick Richings, making us all feel like we were in the middle of a nightclub with an explosion of coloured lights.

Sound by Dan Samson was loud, and I heard some having a moan that it left their ears ringing. I have no problem with that as, after all, we were supposed to be in Club 2001.

The stage adaptation is by Robert Stigwood in collaboration with Bill Oakes.

You will not be disappointed with the music, nor will you be disappointed with the wonderful dance routines, especially the salsa routine. You also will not be disappointed with Richard Winsor in the Travolta role, especially the ladies as you get to see quite a lot of him!

In fact for a wonderful trip back to this iconic period and film, you can't go far wrong. It's fun, gritty, dark and full of energy. There are adult themes and language throughout, which I am pleased they left in as this brings reality to the story lines and character.

“Saturday Night Fever” is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 14 September