Some Like It Hotter

Reviewed by Clare Bourke on 10 November 2011 (Hertfordshire Life)

I’ve always been a fan of Marilyn Monroe films and one of my favourite films of all time is Some Like It Hot, starring the lovely Marilyn alongside Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. So when a show turns up called Some Like It Hotter, I was naturally curious to watch it.

And I’m glad I did as this was a brilliant show and one I would recommend to all fans of the film. Of course, you could watch it without having seen the film but it would make a lot less sense and the jokes just wouldn’t work.

I went to see the show, presented by The Watermill Theatre and Oxfordshire Theatre Company, at The Old Town Hall theatre in Hemel Hempstead where it was on for one night only as part of a tour that lasts until March.

The Old Town Hall theatre is an absolute gem of a venue – small and intimate and just perfect for this type of show as it really makes you feel part of the action.

The show is set in September 2010 with Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe thrown back into their old roles to relive a movie favourite. But this time there is a stranger on set who is soon joining in the fun.

This fast moving, fantasy comedy by Richard Hurford whisks the three screen icons back to their most beautiful, sexy and hilarious selves as they are forced once again to don heels and stockings and go backstage during the making of the best loved of all the classic Hollywood comedies.

The dialogue is sparkling, the wisecracks are spot-on and the musical numbers just keep coming as four actors bring a very small stage to life.

Undoubtedly top of the bill is Sarah Applewood who brings Marilyn well and truly to life as the perfect double for the star. Sarah’s musical talents – playing different instruments as well as singing on stage – are the highlight of the show as she plays and sings so superbly, all done in true Marilyn style.

Also excellent are T J Holmes as Jack Lemmon and Paul Matania as Tony Curtis – the two play off each other so well and are the absolute perfect doubles for Daphne and Josephine.

At first the appearance of stranger Charlie, played by Patrick Bridgman, seemed to throw the whole thing off as his was a character we did not know. But as the play moved swiftly on, his part became clear and he added the perfect straight act to the whole affair.

Some Like It Hotter, directed by Karen Simpson, brings genuine smiles to the faces of its audience and provides a perfect evening’s theatre for all fans of the original film.