This forgotten Rodgers and Hammerstein musical has finally received its European premiere at the Southwark Playhouse – but is it worth bringing to the stage? 

The Independent: **** Paul Taylor wrote: “A lovely heartfelt production that takes you into the soul of a lost gem.”

Carn’s Theatre Passion: ***** “this show is full of life, hope, and is a joyously well performed production.”

The Guardian: *** Michael Billington commented that: “To students of the musical, the show is a fascinating collector’s item, but I can’t help feeling it would have been improved if Rodgers and Hammerstein had shown as much interest in the state of America as in a doctor’s personal dilemma.”

Love London Love Culture: ❤❤❤❤”It is a musical that will divide opinion in terms of its style and comparisons will no doubt be made in terms of quality. But Thom Southerland’s production is warm, affectionate and a great comfortable evening’s entertainment.”

London Theatre.co.uk: ***** Dom O’Hanlon summed it up by saying: “Consider this not a curious revival of a forgotten text but a timeless classic that has the ability to feel both of and ahead of its time in every respect. An utterly charming and painfully honest musical theatre delight.”

The Telegraph: *** Dominic Cavendish said: “Southerland makes it all hustle and bustle nicely on a trim traverse playing area, assisted by Lee Proud’s nifty choreography, but the piece has the unshakeable, dusty feel of a museum curiosity, one for R&H completists only.”

Broadway World: **** “It’s been a long time coming, but Allegro is fully worth its place on the London stage.”

The Reviews Hub: *** 1/2 “Southerland’s production of Allegro does justice to its creators while also applying to the Southwark Playhouse’s progressive setting, the catwalk stage akin to past musical productions such as Grand Hotel.”

London Theatre 1: *** “It is worth seeing if you enjoy Rodgers and Hammerstein shows, and/or if you have a penchant for the quirky and unorthodox.”

The Stage: ***** Mark Shenton thought that it was: “a real rarity, but a completely spellbinding musical event.”

Everything Theatre: **** “we should embrace it as a new musical from two legends of musical theatre.”

Live Theatre: **** “Allegro is a musical for people who love musicals as well as people who don’t believe in musicals. A rare joy – not to be missed.”

Exeunt Magazine: “it’s the fluidity, brisk pace and seamless ensemble work of Thom Southerland’s production that makes a convincing case for this famous flop (nine months on Broadway in 1947; this is the London premiere) as bit of a lost gem finally ready to be unearthed after some polishing.”

British Theatre.com: **** “Thom Sutherland’s production of Allegro is a definite success, putting a positive gloss on a perhaps unfairly maligned play. It is intelligently directed, perfectly sung and well acted – an entertaining slice of Americana in SE1 .”

The Upcoming: **** “Southwark Playhouse’s production of Allegro is a pleasure to watch and shouldn’t be missed before the end of its run in September.”

West End Wilma: **** “this powerhouse production is fuelled by an energetic company whose charm and soaring vocals bring this piece of theatrical history to thrilling life in a captivating show that deserves to be seen, especially after nearly 70 years.”

The Gizzle Review: **** “As a whole, the cast are bold, colourful and full of energy.”

The Bardette: “I was unsure what to expect with Allegro, but having been pleasantly surprised I would urge Rodgers and Hammerstein fans to pay this forgotten musical a visit.”

Allegro runs at the Southwark Playhouse until the 10th September. To book tickets visit: Discount Theatre.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Theatre People.com and UK Tickets.co.uk.