Review: The Fantasticks
The Fantasticks is the most curious production hosted in a major London theatre for some time.
Almost unheard of here, in the States it is the theatrical equivalent of a favourite old jumper. The show, with book and lyrics by Tom Jones (no, not that one) and music by Harvey Schmidt opened off Broadway in 1960 and ran for 42 years, before reopening in New York in 2006, where it is still going strong.
The story is a familiar one: two buffoonish fathers trick their children into falling in love by building a wall between their gardens and stage a mock rivalry, safe in the knowledge that their offspring will do the utmost to defy their parents. But of course, we know what they say about best laid plans, and it’s upon this point that the show pivots.
Read the rest of the review on Show and Stay.
Leave a comment