London Theatre Review: The Producers

Based on the classic cult comedy film from 1967, The Producers is a musical that dares to engage with Nazism in order to tear it down in a sea of laughter, whilst mocking the stereotypes of Broadway theatre.

Patrick Marber directs the show, which has arrived at the Garrick Theatre following a smash-hit run at the Menier Chocolate Factory and it is easy to see why it was so popular.

The Producers tells the story of down-and-out Broadway producer, Max Bialystock (Andy Nyman) who schemes with his neurotic and timid accountant Leo Bloom (Marc Antolin) to create the greatest flop Broadway has ever seen, for their own financial gain. The pair set out to find the worst script ever written, a terrible director and a company of disastrous actors only for it to all go wrong but not as they imagined.

The musical they settle on, Springtime for Hitler, written by Franz Liebkind (Harry Morrison), a former Nazi turned aspiring playwright, is an unusual homage to Hitler, the likes of which has never been seen on stage. 

As the pair of producers create the show, you are introduced to their unlikely crew, from Swede Ulla (Joanna Woodward) who dreams of being a star and draws the gaze of Bialystock and Bloom, to the stage-stealing flamboyant director Roger DeBris (Trevor Ashley) and his camp crew of creatives who step things up a notch with a jaw-achingly funny performance of Keep It Gay, featuring a leather-clad assistant and precariously positioned Michelangelo’s David.

The standout musical number of this farcical comedy comes in the second act, when we sit back and take in the musical within a musical. The outrageous imagery and outrageously funny dialogue peaks in the performance of Springtime for Hitler by a platoon of bedazzled storm troopers and a fabulous Führer. 

There are too many moments of hilarity to describe them all. From lusty old ladies to sad accountants, each scene offers something unique and it really does not hold back in laughing at itself either. 

Credit must go to the entire cast for their brilliant singing, acting and dancing, along with the ability to keep a straight face during scenes which caused chuckles, cackles, guffaws from the audience on opening night. I certainly would not have managed to hold back the laughter had I been on stage, although I don’t think that is the only thing keeping me from the spotlight!

It was notable how much the cast were enjoying every moment as Nyman, Antolin, Woodward and Ashley led the show through a faultless performance with clear joy across their faces during the final standing ovation.

Whilst Mel Brooks, now 99-years-old, could not be there himself, he left a letter for Andy Nyman to read out which was glowing with pride at the West End revival of his brilliant show.

I would thoroughly recommend The Producers and I would watch it again without hesitation. Leave your inhibitions at the door as you sit back for a night of pure laughter.