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It seemed a long time since we last visited the West End theatre - it was 5 months - and so we were anxious to pay another visit. The problem was that we prefer to see something that we haven't seen before, and then if seats were available they had been at silly prices. "The Devil Wears Prada" only got 2 to 3 star reviews, but it would be an overdue day out in London, and so why not give it a go? It was on at the Dominion Theatre, and we got two seats in the front of the dress circle (there is only one circle) C5, and C6, somewhat to the side but good seats with a perfect view of the stage. We paid £47 each which was very acceptable - usually we expect to pay about £60. The place was packed, but there were not many men in the audience. Definitely no queue for the men's toilets! Sadly we agreed with the 2 star review, but the cast and orchestra were very good.
The Dominion Theatre is at the junction of Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road. We have been here several times before, and each time we seem to go a different way. This time it was drive to Broxbourne station, train to Tottenham Hale, tube to Leicester Square for our usual visit to St Martins in the Field Cafe for morning tea, and then over the Thames to the Southbank Cente for a sandwich lunch, and finally about a half hour walk up Charring Cross Road to the theatre. Our return journey was a No 8 bus from New Oxford Street to Liverpool Street station, and the train back to Broxbourne.
I hadn't seen the film of the same name, but have read that this version sticks closely to the script. Briefly Andy is a young, female award winning college graduate who wants a career as a writer, but can't find a job. She lives with her very supportive and lovely boyfriend. She does get an interview to be a PA to the legendery Miranda, boss of the Runway Fashion House. There Andy is like a fish out of water. Everyone is like a fashion model, tall, slim, and elegantly dressed. She is "comfortably" attired. Miranda is an all demanding dragon who wants everything done instantly, from early morning to very late night. Previous PAs have never been any good, and so Miranda gives the job to Andy - but calls her Emily, or Andrea. Every one says she will not last the day, but she is determined to prove them wrong. She is not a quitter. Over time she changes. Initially she laughed at how seriously everyone was taking the fashion business, but she changes her mind, and is then excellent at her job. But this means long hours, and no private life, and her boyfriend is being left behind. Is she turning into a Miranda clone ? At the very end, sanity prevails. Andy quits the job so many would kill for, gets a job as a journalist, and makes up with her boyfrind. So it's a happy ending !
Why just two stars ? The first half was just one long continuous rock number, with one song running into the next. All prancing, walking up and down, posing, no variety, no light and shade. The second half was a bit better. All that said, the cast did what was called of them excellently, sang and pranced well, and the orchestra were in great form. I think Elton John wrote some of the music, but there wasn't a big set piece number for me to exit whistling. I did like one song, however, sung wistfully, by Andy's boyfriend "I miss the old you." And of course, it must be admitted that I was not the target audience. All in all theough, 2 stars, or maybe 2.5 stars as the cast and orchestra were good.
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