Pretty Woman The Musical is based on the hit 1990 movie starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. For those not in the know, the story is set in Hollywood, where a successful multi-millionaire businessman picks up a ‘hooker’ and employs her for a week as his high-class escort. Against all the odds, they fall in love...

The story was arguably shallow and sexist, and was criticised at the time for making prostitution seem glamorous. Turning it into a musical was certainly risky, especially given the evolution of attitudes over the past three decades regarding equality, misogyny and sex workers.

It was definitely a risk worth taking, though. This rom-com musical brings a frothy fairytale charm to proceedings and is splendidly entertaining from start to finish. The West End production didn’t meet with universal acclaim by any means, but I think the key to enjoying the show is not to compare it to the film but view it instead as a clever adaptation.

Rather than featuring the brilliant but overplayed 1990s soundtrack, an original soundtrack using music & lyrics by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance has been specially produced. The new music definitely suits the time period in which the show is set, and Roy Orbison’s Pretty Woman makes the finale.

Most of the movie’s iconic scenes are played out on stage, but with more comedy. I particularly enjoyed the scene in which Vivian (played by Amber Davies) and Edward (Oliver Savile) - who boasted a charming chemistry throughout - are watching Verdi’s La Traviata from their theatre box. La Traviata tells a similar story to Pretty Woman: An aristocrat falls in love with a courtesan with a heart of gold. No wonder Vivian is in tears at the tragic ending! Davies plays this scene to perfection, and the opera singer (Lila Falce-Bass) has a beautiful and powerful voice.

Special mention must also go to Ore Obuda, Noah Harrison and Natalie Paris, who are all superb in their respective roles. Obuda plays, amongst a number of other roles, Mr Thompson, the hotel manager; Harrison is Giulio the bell boy; Paris portrays Vivian’s friend and fellow sex worker, Kit. All three actors have great stage presence, not to mention some seriously impressive talent when it comes to dancing, singing and providing hilarious laugh-out-loud comedy moments.

Pretty Woman The Musical is funny, heartwarming and uplifting. As well as a talented cast, the show boasts superb costumes, music and choreography. If you don’t take the opportunity to relive the magic of the movie with this touring musical, then in Vivian’s words, you’ll be making “a big mistake… Huge… HUGE!” 

You have until Saturday to catch it at The Alexandra. Tonight’s performance received a standing ovation and rapturous applause from a very appreciative audience. 

5 Stars

Reviewed by Sue Hull on Tuesday 24 October at The Alexandra, Birmingham, where it runs until Saturday (28 October). It returns to the region next year, showing at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Monday 15 July - Saturday 20 July.