Top Hat swept into the Manchester Opera House with all the shimmer, charm, and old-school pizzazz you could hope for, and I left the theatre thoroughly enchanted.
Walking in, I knew next to nothing about the stage version of the classic 1935 film, but what unfolded was a gloriously stylish, toe-tapping surprise.
The first thing that struck me was the costume design, a dazzling parade of Art Deco elegance. From immaculate white-tie ensembles to flowing gowns that seemed to float as the dancers moved, every costume was a visual feast.
And the dancing and singing? Simply irresistible. Irving Berlin’s iconic score, featuring favourites like “Cheek to Cheek,” “Let’s Face the Music and Dance,” “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails,” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz”, is delivered with such joy and polish that even the most familiar melodies feel freshly minted. The orchestra brings lush warmth, and the choreography is a joyous blend of precision, wit, and sheer athleticism.
Phillip Attmore, as Broadway star Jerry Travers, brings boundless charm and a phenomenal tap prowess that lights up the stage. His arrival in London sets everything into motion, especially when model Dale Tremont, played with grace and spark by Amara Okereke, is jolted awake by his enthusiastic dancing in the hotel suite above hers. Their ensuing misunderstandings and romantic missteps are played with delightful comic timing, all wrapped up in a story where love is inevitable but never simple.
This new production, directed and choreographed by the acclaimed Kathleen Marshall, radiates confidence and finesse. Marshall’s touch infuses the show with whip-smart movement and a golden-age glow that feels effortless but is clearly crafted with immense care.
Originally adapted for the stage by Matthew White and Howard Jacques, Top Hat already proved its pedigree with an Olivier Award for Best New Musical, and this new UK staging by Kenny Wax and Jonathan Church Theatre Productions more than lives up to that legacy. It’s glamorous, heartfelt, and wonderfully funny.
I went in a blank slate and came out utterly charmed. Top Hat is pure theatrical escapism - grand, romantic, and polished to brilliance. If you’re looking for a night of moonlight, music, and irresistible dance, this production will have you grinning from ear to ear.
For tickets to see Top Hat visit: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/top-hat/opera-house-manchester/
