Book: Matthew White and Howard Jacques
Music & Lyrics: Irving Berlin
Director: Kathleen Marshall
Following a tremendous run at Chichester Festival Theatre this Summer, Top Hat has landed in London for a strictly limited run this festive season. Based on the iconic 1935 film, Matthew White have Howard Jacques have masterfully reimagined the much-adored story for the stage in the most beautiful of ways. Having not played in London since 2012, when it was awarded the Best New Musical award at the 2013 Oliviers, Top Hat returns to whisk audiences away to the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Kathleen Marshall’s adaptation of the already special show elevates the story to new heights. Off the back of the success of her production of Anything Goes, her talent for modernising the Golden era musicals is so wonderful. Retaining their nostalgia and beauty whilst feeling like a breath of fresh air has been blown into them. The old Hollywood comedy is honoured but also updated subtly to cater to a more modern audience, and the staging wonderfully embodies the era without feeling like an imitation.
Irving Berlin’s music is greatly adored and recognised, and the show features some of his most famous songs, such as Cheek To Cheek and Let’s Face The Music And Dance. Phillip Attmore magnificently leads the cast as Jerry Travers, solidifying his ability as a leading man; he has all the poise and swagger of Fred Astaire, without being an imitation, and he makes the role his own whilst honouring the beloved star. He’s effortlessly cool, brimming with charm and an utter triple threat.
Amara Okereke beautifully portrays Dale Tremont, the epitome of a leading lady. James Clyde is hilariously witty as the lovable Bates and offers brilliant comic relief to the cast. Sally Ann Triplett performs as Madge. Despite only appearing for the second act, she dominates the stage, and her performance is hugely impressive.
White and Jacques’ book remains loyal to the film’s script, which ensures the charm and feel of the era are intact throughout. It has wonderful pace and excellently incorporates Berlin’s music, as if they’d been written for the stage. Some scenes do, however, feel slightly stagnant, in particular the spoken scenes between Horace and Bates, which feel slightly constrained and juxtapose the natural flow of the rest of the show. Whether this is due to the book or the on-stage chemistry, it sadly takes you out of the world momentarily, but it does not detract from the overall show.
Kathleen Marshall’s choreography is set to Berlin’s score. Honouring the beauty of the Golden Age and the magic of tap dancing, it is a feast for the eyes from start to finish. The ensemble is incredibly talented and performs the routines with seeming ease. Attmore and Okereke are a perfect pairing for their duets, performing with grace and ability.
Tim Mitchell’s lighting designs encapsulate the era perfectly, adding glitz and grandeur to the stage, as well as ensuring Yvonne Milnes and Peter McKintosh’s costumes dazzle throughout. The entire creative team has honoured the era of Berlin’s music to bring it to life for the stage, and it is like stepping back in time to revel in its beauty.
Top Hat is an utter joy of a show, and the perfect addition to the festive programme this December. Whether a first-time viewer or an avid lover of the film, Marshall’s production is assured to bring nostalgia, warmth and wonder into any audience member. It’s the perfect family spectacle to enjoy and bring some glamour to the holidays.
Runs until 17 January 2026
