Top Hat | New Wimbledon Theatre

With constant revolving set, tap dancing and a trip to Venice, Top Hat has it all. This is a ravishing spectacle that slightly falls short with its plot. Based on the film from 1935, Top Hat follows American dancer Jerry Travers as he lands in London to perform in a show produced by Horace Hardwick. At the hotel, Jerry falls hopelessly in love with a woman called Dale Tremont. Fatal miscommunication ensues and Dale leaves for Venice to meet her friend Madge Hardwick, which has Jerry and Horace following in pursuit to win Dale back.

Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, many elements from the film have been taken which feels poised and powerful. The show feels upbeat and entertaining to watch, no matter if it is a group number or solo dance. Yvonne Milnes and Peter McKintosh handle costumes, outfitting the cast in glamour from the 1920s, effortlessly producing high end costumes adorned in feathers and silk. 

McKintosh also designed the set, which is a spectacle in itself. With most set pieces being presented by a rotating panel in the middle of the stage, nearly every scene offers a new piece of set, and whilst maybe only used once, it is just as polished and impressive as the pieces that are used throughout, from a bedroom to airplane seats. 

Phillip Attmore leads the company as Jerry Travers, with his phenomenal tap dancing making even the hardest of steps seem like a breeze, and silky vocals. Cheek to Cheek is a stand out for both vocals and choreography, giving Attmore ample opportunity to show off his talents. Attmore creates a character that everyone roots for and brings a new spin on the character for the modern audience. 

For this performance, Dale Tremont was played by Lindsay Atherton, marking her Dale Debut. Atherton stepped into the role effortlessly and made it her own, dazzling with a voice as light as a feather, just like the ones adorned to her dress. Specifically between You’re Easy to Dance With and Better Luck Next Time, Atherton is able to display incredible range from upbeat to sorrowful ballads. 

Atherton and Attmore have wonderful chemistry, especially with it being a debut for Atherton. They convey the messy relationship of the characters convincingly. 

The supporting cast are equally great, with James Hume as Horace Hardwick, the dimwitted producer who doesn’t always make the right choices. Hume alongside others provides humour and funny quips with his duet with Sally Ann Triplett, Outside of That, I Love You. Triplet play no nonsense Madge Hardwick, making her grand entrance at the top of act two with The Piccolino.

James Clyde as Bates is a comedic mastermind, stealing any scene he is a part of with his timed interjections and hilarious costumes. Rounding out the supporting cast is Alex Gibson-Giorgio as Alberto Beddini. He uses his little stage time to push the narrative and showcase his talent with Latins Know How.

Puttin’ on the Ritz is an upbeat way to start the show, settling the audience firmly into what they’re about to watch. It’s a fantastic show of talents, having Attmore and the ensemble all tap dancing. Isn’t It a Lovely Day (To Be Caught in the Rain)? builds up the foundations for the leads with a The Sound of Music inspired style of dance around a gazebo. Cheek to Cheek is probably the most anticipated song in the production, and it hits the expectations with its smooth dance moves and wonderful melody. 

Unfortunately, the plot does feel slow at times, taking a while for things to become interesting and then feeling overly convoluted the further into the show it gets. The storyline feels flimsy and rushed, needing to tie everything into the obligatory happy ending. Scenes that work well in the film feel choppy on stage with extended dialogue that slows the pacing down. Some scenes feel out of place in a musical version but feel like they've just been kept in the show to please die hard fans of the movie.

Top Hat has the feel of every golden age musical, which can be taken both as a positive and a negative. It feels timeless, yet doesn't stand apart from other golden age musicals.

Top Hat plays at New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday 18th October 2025.

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★★★☆☆ (3*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Johan Persson