MRS DOUBTFIRE | SHAFTESBURY THEATRE, LONDON
★★★★★
“…uplifting, joyous and masterfully staged…”
Gloriously life-affirming, wickedly funny and beautifully poignant, the musical comedy Mrs Doubtfire, based on the 1993 movie, is a true West End smash hit show and one that will have you laughing, crying yet always smiling.
And while the late Robin Williams may forever be associated with the title role, there’s little doubt that the astonishing Gabriel Vick has donned the famous wig, mask and bodysuit and effortlessly adopted Mrs Doubfire’s familiar Scottish lilt to make the much loved character his own, while still channeling the essence of Williams’ chaotic energy.
His is a brilliant, breathtaking and simply mesmerising performance that brings a whole new understanding to the term ‘all-rounder’. A many of many voices, before the curtain has time to rise he has already treated us to his Billy Connolly and Prince Harry. When it does, he reveals that not only can he sing and dance but has the ability to bring the loving but child-like dad of three, Daniel Hilliard aka Mrs Doubtfire, to life with all the truth and pathos that informs the best comic performances.
It’s a sad tale; when Daniel’s long-suffering wife, Miranda, files for divorce, the judge gives her full custody of their three children, Lydia, Christoper and Natalie. Heartbroken, Daniel has but three months to find a job and provide a fitting home for his kids if he is to have any chance of winning back shared custody… enter Mrs Doubtfire.
That first appearance of the latex masked nanny is a highlight of the glorious two and a bit hour comic romp, which has a host of catchy, narrative driving songs and strong performances from a company on their top game. From the opening number, Pizza Rolls, they have the audience onside; a crafty line in breaking the fourth wall, from director Jerry Zaks, proves priceless.
Karen Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell’s book, at times blisteringly funny, ensures the gags come quick and fast, sometimes corny, sometimes barbed but always nailed on delivery whether by Vick himself or Cameron Blakely, who matches the leading (wo)man line for line and move for move, as Daniel’s brother Frank.
However, it’s the first appearance of the famous nanny that everyone is waiting for and gleeful chuckles ripples through the audience when Mrs Doubtfire’s soft brogue is heard for the first time – Vick’s brilliant ‘mimicry’ earning him a spontaneous round of applause. The real time transformation of Daniel to Doubtfire when it comes is nothing less than genius and is greeted by roars of approval.
Tragedy and comedy are close bedfellows and course through the veins of this production, something never captured more perfectly than Bleu Woodward’s beautiful rendition of Let Go. It’s a heart-wrenchingly emotional number and, as Daniel’s long-suffering wife, Miranda, Woodward is commanding yet warmly maternal and empathetic.
Blakely and Marcus Collins, paired together as Uncle Frank and ‘Aunty’ Andre, are wonderful together, Collins proving the perfect foil for Blakely’s more outrageous moments.
as Lydia Hilliard & Stuart Dunmire Pic | Johan Persson
In cast with no weak links, Charlotte Fleming, as eldest daughter Lydia, reflects all the teenage angst and turmoil you might expect of an eldest child attempting to protect her younger siblings from the matrimonial heartbreak around them. She has a fine singing voice, too. As middle child Christoper and baby of the clan Natalie, Herbie Byers and Felicity Walton are also delightful and talented.
A fresh, modern musical (Daniel’s ‘hip-hop, TikTok, loop’ routine is probably as down with the kids as it can get right now), Mrs Doubtfire also pays tribute to the grand Busby Berkeley musicals of yesteryear with spectacular tap routines and big, explosively choreographed dance numbers by Lorin Latarro that are nothing less than triumphant. And watch out for a glorious ‘dream sequence’ that is engagingly surreal.
Fit for all the family, Mrs Doubtfire is undoubtedly the most uplifting, joyous and masterfully staged production around right now, so, as the star of the show herself might say, “Go on dears, brace yourself… for the funnest two hours you will spend on the West End”.
Run ended
