I saw the West End production in 1995. I fell in love with Caroline O'Connor as Mabel, and warmed to Howard McGillin as Mack. ("Warmed" because his character seemed intentionally unlikable at times, until he was able to recognize he needed Mabel)
After that I saw a few amateur productions in London, and the 2005 Watermill version. I loved every one of them. From those productions, I didn't understand the issues people had with the book. Dark musicals were fairly common by then.
Then in 2020 I saw the Encores production. I couldn't wait to see what NYC could do with this fabulous show. But to me, that production bombed. Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe I had seen so many other shows that my standards had changed. But with that production I didn't fall in love with Mabel. I didn't even like Mack. The actors were in fine form, but maybe the script or the direction just didn't land.
I think this show may still be revived, but most likely in the UK where the score and show has been embraced multiple times. |
