Y: A Musical Cabaret

Y: A Musical Cabaret
GenreMusical theatre/cabaret
Date of premiere27 June 1983 (1983-06-27)
Final show28 July 1984 (1984-07-28)
LocationPiccadilly Theatre, London
Creative team
DirectorJean Marie Riviére
ComposerFrédéric Botton
ComposerRobert Purvis
DesignerPierre Simonini
ChoreographerMolly Molloy

Y: A Musical Cabaret was a musical review starring quick-change artist Arturo Brachetti which ran at the Piccadilly Theatre from 27 June 1983 to 28 July 1984.[1] The show was set in the style of a Paris cabaret complete with topless dancers (female and male), illusion, visual effects, dancing and song.

Development

The show started as "I"'[2] and was scheduled to preview on 16 March 1983 as the most expensive show ever mounted in the West End,[3] but was withdrawn[4][5] the night before. It had been due to open on 22 March 1983.[1] After substantial rewrites and development,[6] the show reopened as "Y" and ran for over a year.

The Piccadilly Theatre was remodelled to accommodate kitchens for audience members in the stalls where the seats were replaced by dining tables.[7] Some of the waiting staff would also participate in selected moments of the show. A three-course meal and the show was £25 in the stalls [8]

Public perception

Reviews were mixed for the show. Martin Walker of The Guardian wrote:[9]

"Y is so luridly and brashly vulgar that it tramples aside any quibbles about taste or artistic fitness or the lunatic profligacy that spent a reputed £2 million to bring this Parisian cabaret to the London stage"

John Barber in The Daily Telegraph wrote:[10]

"Late nighters will welcome an attractive new theatre restaurant in London and will find "Y" slick and showy enough to make late" Talk of The Town" revues look pretty antediluvian".

Robert Cushman in The Observer wrote:[11]

"Y the long cursed spectacular that has finally opened at the Piccadilly, now transformed into a rather taking dinner-theatre, complete with performing waiters"

Francis King in The Sunday Telegraph observed:[12]

"Unfortunately, the performers spend much of their time miming, like drag artists on an off-night at the Vauxhall Tavern, to deafening tapes"

Marketing

Y opened for previews on June 9, 1983, the day of the General Election[13] and this was used in the initial marketing of the show.[14]

On Independence Day, July 4, 1983, a free bottle of champagne was offered to any Americans who could show their passport.[15]

New Year's Eve 1983 was marketed as a "Fancy Dress Ball with Russian Extravaganza". A special "Ballet Russes" number was written and performed especially for the evening performance.[16] The theatre was licensed until 3am and breakfast was served until 4am on New Year's Day[8]

Closure

On Friday July 13, 1984, it was reported that Y was to close, "the most expensive theatrical show ever seen in London". Y closed two weeks later with losses of £4.75M.[17]

Musical numbers

Musical Numbers[18]
NameCast Member(s)CostumesComposer
PrologueFull CompanyPierre SimoniniFrédéric Botton
Paris PiccadillyThe WaitersCaroline RobhoFrédéric Botton
Tribute To The StarsTracy Cullen, Adrain Richard Swerhun, Fiona Lewis, Gillian Winn, Bunty BaileyRoberto RoselloFrédéric Botton
Cabaret De ParisMiranda Coe, Claire Lutter, Adrian Swerhun, Suzie Casabianca, Gilian Wunn, Caroline Roboh, Tracy Cullen, Lesley Collinson, Robin James, Lynne Winslo, Fiona Lewis, Tim Ricketts, Mark Elie, Heavon Grant, Stefan Reekie, Jon Peterson, Michael Hervieu, Tony Papas, Chris MarloweRobert RoselloFrédéric Botton
Dodo DollarArturo Brachetti, Marc Lincoln, Caron CardelleRoberto RoselloFrédéric Botton
Presentation of The OrchestraTracy Cullen, Adrian SwerhunFrédéric Botton
Venice Under The SeaFull CompanyPierre SimoniniFrédéric Botton
Sweet DreamsTracy Cullen, Lynne Winslo, Tony Papas, Adrian SwerhunEurythmics
Horror StoryArturo Brachetti, Norbert Dingo, Caroline Roboh, Tim Ricketts, Caron Cardelle, Fiona Lewis, Bunty Bailey, Lesley Collinson, Michael Hervieu, Stefan ReekieFrédéric Botton
OstrichesStefan Reekie, Adrian SwerhunPierre SimoniniFrédéric Botton
IllusionsNicola KimberPierre SimoniniRobert Purvis
EyeArturo BrachettiPierre SimoniniFrédéric Botton
GentlemanTracy Cullen, Heavon Grant, Adrian Swerhun, Jon Peterson, Michael HervieuPierre SimoniniFrédéric Botton
TigersStefan Reekie, Lesley Collins, Bunty Bailey, Miranda Coe, Robin James, Claire Lutter, Suzie Casabianca, Stefan ReekieRoberto Rosello, Pierre SimoninFrédéric Botton, Robert Purvis
The FlightArturo BrachettiPierre SimoniniRobert Purvis
ZubadiaCaroline Roboh, Adrian Swerhun, Heaven Grant, Chris Marlow, Jon PetersonRoberto Rosello, Pierre SimoniniFrédéric Botton
Running WildTracy Cullen, Tim Ricketts, Jon Peterson, OrchestraFrédéric Botton
The Grand PianoFull CompanyRoberto RoselloFrédéric Botton
ApplaudissezFull CompanyFrédéric Botton

Creative team

Creative Team[18]
NameRole
Jean Marie RiviereTheatre director
Pierre SimoniniDesigner
Molly MolloyChoreographer
Frédéric BottonComposer
Roberto RosellloCostume Designer
Jenny CaneLighting Designer
Jean Daniel MercerMusical Arranger
Robert PurvisMusical Director and Composer
Tim Spain RickettsAssistant Choreographer
Patricia TomlinsonBallet Mistress
PacoAssistant Director
Caroline RobohArtistic Supervision
Michael WhiteLondon Production Consultant
David AstorLondon Consultant
Vladimir ForgencyProducer

Production staff

Production Staff[18]
NameRole
Jane ReesCompany Manager
Howard HarrisonStage Manager
Jonathan BaylisDeputy Stage Manager
Peter BouchierAssistant Stage Manager
Marc LincolnAssistant Stage Manager
Peter LittenProduction Manager
George DugdaleAssistant Production Manager
Helen MolchanoffInterpreter
Geoff SharpeCostume Supervisor
Denise Monti-ColombiCostume Supervisor
Sean CaseyWardrobe Master
Enza DormizziWardrobe Assistant
Kate ElliottWardrobe Assistant
Yvonne SavageWig Supervisor
Sue StrothersDeputy Wig Supervisor

Orchestra

Orchestra[18]
NameInstrument(s)
Robert PurvisPiano and Musical Director
Steve MellingKeyboards
Geoff YoungWoodwind
Duncan SmithTrumpet
Mike SmithTrombone
Bobby PatrickBass Guitar
Paul DonnellyGuitar
Peter BuchanPercussion
Porter Young ManagementOrchestral Management

References

  1. 1 2 "Production of Y". Theatricalia. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
  2. ↑ "Piccadilly Theatre listing". Theatre listings. The Observer. 20 Feb 1983. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  3. ↑ "Entertainments". Westminster and Pimlico News. 11 Feb 1983. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  4. ↑ Spencer, Charles (14 Mar 1983). "Future of £1.5m Show Is Doubtful". Evening Standard. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  5. ↑ Shamoon, Stella (20 Mar 1983). "One in the "i" for the angels of theatreland". Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  6. ↑ "Taking the "i" factor out of Y". Week-en People. The Guardian. 18 Jun 1983. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  7. ↑ Shulman, Milton (28 June 1983). "A B C of Y". London Evening Standard.
  8. 1 2 "Y A Star Is Born". Advert. London Evening Standard. 15 Dec 1983.
  9. ↑ Walker, Martin (29 Jun 1983). "Y". Theatre Reviews. The Guardian. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  10. ↑ Barber, John (1 July 1983). "Montmartre Glitz". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  11. ↑ Cushman, Robert (3 July 1983). "Singin' on the stage". Theatre. The Observer. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  12. ↑ King, Francis (3 July 1983). "Something to sing about". Theatre. The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  13. ↑ Say, Rosemary (5 June 1983). "Show Talk". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  14. ↑ "Piccadilly Theatre". Advertising. London Evening Standard. 1 June 1983. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  15. ↑ "Londoners Diary". London Evening Standard. 4 Jul 1983.
  16. ↑ Dromgoole, Nicholas (8 Jan 1984). "Dance Time". The Sunday Telegraph.
  17. ↑ "Y To Close After Huge Losses?". Londoners Diary. London Evening Standard. 13 Jul 1984.
  18. 1 2 3 4 From Official Programme
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