Southey Musical Theatre Company have opted to put it on with the film title, as happened when it landed in the West End 20 years later.
It has never caught on, but it's great fun with a jolly score by Styne, if not quite the equal of his biggest hits, Gypsy and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Leaving aside occasional first night problems, Southey's staging, strongly motivated with insightful touches by Val Mills, is hugely successful from the point of view of some outstanding performances.
Malcolm Mason (Joe/Josephine) and Tim Wright (Jerry/Daphne) are simply marvellous, even if the former recalls Tony Curtis as Junior and the latter Jack Lemmon every so often when he is in drag. Their duets are extremely well done.

Sugar herself (Marilyn Monroe in the film), Emma Townend, is sweet and charming in a lovely portrayal, while Graham Seaton's Osgood Fielding (totally different to Joe Brown) is hilarious – the rib-tickling Beautiful Through and Through duet with 'Daphne' is superb.

Superb is the only way to describe Andrew Stansall who brilliantly tap-dances his way through the part of Spats Palazzo – George Raft would never, ever have done that!

Danni Birks' feisty Sweet Sue and Steve Andrews' ulcer-ridden Bienstock are also eminently worthy of not being missed in a show that deserves to be seen.

MORE:
Listings Guide
Arts Guide
Film Guide
Theatre and Events
Music Guide
Front Room