Pretty Woman The Musical – Hull New Theatre

Picture the scene – good-looking, generous, American billionaire, driving a to-die-for motor, gets lost in the red light district of Hollywood – Hollywood Boulevard. So far, so sort of believable.

He attracts the attention of a hooker (and I’m not talking rugby), who offers to drive him in said motor (which belongs to his lawyer) to the posh Beverly Wilshire hotel, where he has booked the penthouse. Not so believable.

And what happens next is totally unbelievable, but do you know, the sell-out crowd at the Hull New Theatre on Monday night, soaked up every entertaining minute when Pretty Woman The Musical came to town.

Based on the 1989 film of the same name, starring Julia Roberts as the hooker, Vivian Ward, and Richard Gere as the billionaire, Edward Lewis, the musical is a riot of fun, colour and energy.

Instead of Roberts we had the delightful and talented Sydne Hocknell, with the equally talented Ben Darcy as Gere’s billionaire.

As for the stage setting, there were huge palm trees covered in fairy lights; bright neon signs; a classy hotel bedroom and foyer. Plus, the posh (Rodeo Drive) and not so posh (Vivian’s apartment on Hollywood Boulevard) areas of Hollywood.

The “scene shifters”, cast members methinks, did a magnificent job, unobtrusively bringing scenarios to life.

As Vivian and Edward got to know each other including a night at the opera with beautiful singing by Violetta (Lila Falce-Bass) and Alfredo (Josh Damer-Jennings), always in the picture were two very amusing characters, bellboy Guilio (Noah Harrison) and Happy Man/Mr Thompson (dual role of street hustler and hotel manager for Curtis Patrick).

Guilio’s gauche, affected actions were a scream, while Happy Man/Mr Thompson – two very different roles – saw Patrick change characters at breakneck speed.

Another stand-out character on the night was the larger-than-life Natalie Paris, who played Vivian’s brassy flatmate Kit de Luca, to perfection. And we couldn’t help but feel sorry for business owner David Morse (Chomba Taulo), whose ailing firm was about to be bought and broken up by Lewis.

Two very memorable, for me, scenes from the movie were recreated perfectly.

Who can forget Vivian’s foray to Rodeo Drive, Edward’s credit card in hand, to buy suitable outfits, and her being belittled by snooty sales assistants in one posh shop. Returning to Rodeo Drive with Edward, she pays the snooty assistants a visit, telling them “big mistake. HUGE mistake” as she holds aloft her many packages.

And during her week with Edward (for an agreed price of $3,000), Vivian grew accustomed to a more respectable lifestyle, but her new-found sense of self-worth is shattered when Edward’s lawyer Philip Stuckey (Stuart MacIver) asked for her services when “Edward has finished with you”.

Talk about bursting someone’s balloon.

But it is a happy ending for most.

Featuring about 20 songs, all sung with consummate skill by everyone concerned, and accompanied by musicians directed by Griff Johnson, Pretty Woman the Musical has everything a theatre lover could wish for.

And when a guitarist began to play the opening chord to Roy Orbison’s Oh, Pretty Woman, the audience rose as one to sing along and applaud a truly remarkable production.

Presented by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Paula Wagner, Nice Productions, LPO, New Regency Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, JAS Theatricals/Josh Andrews Productions, Hunter Arnold, Caiola Productions & Co, John Gore Organization, Edward Walson and Deroy Kierstead

From the book by Garry Marshall & J F Lawton

Based on the Touchstone Pictures film written by J F Lawton

Running until Saturday, February 10th, 2024; 7.30pm nightly with 2.30pm matinees on Thursday, 8th and Saturday, 10th. Tickets cost from £15. Call (01482) 300306 or visit www.hulltheatres.co.uk

Reviewer: Jackie Foottit

Reviewed: 5th February 2024

North West End UK Rating: