Rebecca Thornhill as Rose Photo: Andreas Lambis

You can’t go far wrong with a musical about motherhood, disappointment and show business with an actor of the calibre of Rebecca Thornhill at its centre. The themes are evergreen and, in this production, directed and choreographed by Joseph Pitcher, it’s entertaining, moving and impressive.

Gypsy, which premiered in 1959, is loosely based on the 1957 memoir by Gypsy Rose Lee (1911-1970), highly successful American burlesque stripper. It has been revived many times and the story is very familiar – the championing of one child at the expense of the other by the pushiest mother in musical theatre and probably in real life too.

It’s a piece which has often been performed on a much grander scale than this but here we get a cast of fourteen, several of whom are actor musos working with the off stage four-piece band led by Francis Goodhand on keys. This brings a rather touching intimacy to a show which is effectively a family drama. And that’s interspersed with the show biz moments, performed by the talented ensemble, so that it all feels pretty balanced.

It’s Thornhill’s show really. As Rose – a vulnerable bundle of insecurities desperate to live out her thwarted dreams through her daughters – she glitters with pent-up emotion and packs every note of every number with feeling especially in “Rose’s Turn” which ends the show. If you want star quality, look no further.

Evelyn Hoskins excels as Louise too – the quiet sister forced unwillingly onto the stage after her sister’s departure. She develops the character from timidity and stillness to confident panache as she morphs into Gypsy Rose Lee. The final stripper routine, getting ever more flamboyant as she moves from city to city and gets into her stride, is quite something although the rapid, elaborate costume changes (designed by Natalie Titchener) must be a challenge.

Daniel Crowder is a good foil to Rose’s relentlessness as the ever decent boyfriend, Herbie. Charlie Waddell provides an enjoyable dance number as Tulsa and Chowsie (played by Rosie, a pretty little white dog) behaves herself impeccably. Also outstanding is Mia Barton as little June, one of three children who rotate in this role. She has extraordinary stage presence and totally inhabits the role with her high kicks and little screams.

It’s an ambitious show but has been directed to fit well on The Mill at Sonning’s thrust stage with a simple set and items such as piano and a table, the movement of which is integrated into the action.

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  Photos: Andreas Lambis

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First published by Sardines: https://www.sardinesmagazine.co.uk/review/gypsy-2/