An American in Paris - Dominion Theatre

Paris

As a big fan of George Gershwin, I was excited to finally see An American in Paris, fresh from Broadway. I listened to the orchestral composition 'An American in Paris' MANY times during my teenage years, along with 'Rhapsody in Blue'. [Yes, I was a cool teen. My Gershwin CD was, I think, the first CD I ever bought.] So it was interesting to experience this piece in the context of a musical.

Set in France immediately after the second world war, An American in Paris follows the fortunes of three artistically-inclined young men who become friends, and fall in love with the same woman, a talented ballet dancer. The plot wasn't hugely sophisticated, but it wasn't Julian Fellowes-level predictable, either. It was kind of like a more upbeat, less fantastical version of The Red Shoes - with songs. Both oeuvres being about a love of dance, following your dreams, and romance, and both containing a 'show within a show' ballet. [But yes, apart from that, they are completely different.]

An American in Paris was an extremely easy to watch, fluid, absorbing, uplifting, beautiful show. Flowing like a pure, calming, glittering stream, it was exuberant but somehow more restrained than most musicals - I suppose because of the style of music (the composition 'An American in Paris' plus Gershwin brothers' songs) and dancing (there was a lot of ballet). My favourite pieces were 'I Got Rhythm', 'I've Got Beginner's Luck', which included umbrella twirling and unbelievably rapid costume changes, and good old show tune 'I'll Build A Stairway to Paradise'. And of course, the climactic ballet number, which featured modernist costume and set designs. 

The sets were detailed and gorgeous - lots of impressive Parisian buildings, bohemian cafés and avant-garde 1940s interiors. One of the things I loved about this show was the graceful and creative way in which the performers themselves carried in the props and manoeuvred the sets into place; for example, someone twirling onstage carrying a chair above their head. The props team must have been very on-the-ball in this show, making sure everything was to hand. The costumes were wonderful and there were costume changes aplenty. Elegant New Look-style dresses abounded. Finally: I love the name Milo for a woman.

photo credit: Luc Mercelis Paris, Place Vendôme via photopin (license)

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