Review: Pretty Woman Musical Makes Glamorous Finish In Melbourne

★★★★☆

Following a smash-hit national run covering five major Australian cities, Pretty Woman: The Musical struts into Melbourne’s iconic Regent Theatre for a glamorous finish.

This glossy Jones Theatrical Group production retains much of the beloved 1990 rom-com’s storyline, with the sheen of a big-budget crowd-pleaser and generous sprinkles of nostalgia throughout. If you grew up witnessing the endearing original’s omnipresence, missing this faithful stage adaptation will be a big mistake. Big. HUGE!

Gritty, neon-lit Hollywood Boulevard comes to life through minimalist stage design and dynamic shading, as the energetic, colour-clad ensemble cast gallivants across the stage with understated wonder.

Homegrown star Samantha Jade is starry-eyed and buoyant as street-smart heroine Vivian Ward. Jade delivers a precise, pitch-perfect performance that, whilst enabling her to be fully in control, hesitates to allow access to Vivian’s more vulnerable moments.

Her immaculate, crystalline voice soars with longing in Anywhere But Here and belts I Can’t Go Back with conviction, yet at times struggles to convey the raw emotional depth her role demands.

Ben Hall’s aloof, gentle Edward Lewis provides a stark contrast alongside Vivian’s curious optimism. Hall’s subdued performance skilfully channels Edward’s quiet loneliness, as he slowly lets his guard down (Something About Her) and explores his newfound confidence (Freedom). 

The chemistry he shares with Jade often feels more pleasant than passionate; thankfully their melodious vocal blend becomes a saving grace during penultimate number Long Way Home.

Michelle Brasier is fierce and feisty as firecracker Kit de Luca. Brasier’s Kit is solid, self-assured, and commands attention. Her ferocious, unflinching rendition of Rodeo Drive attracted a rousing extended applause, and was definitely one of the more memorable moments from the evening.

Rounding out the supporting cast, vivacious Tim Omaji is a consummate chameleon, shapeshifting between mischievous Happy Man (Welcome to Hollywood, Never Give Up on a Dream) and uptight Mr Thompson (On a Night Like Tonight) seamlessly.

Douglas Hansell smirks and pouts as Philip Stuckey, fully disappearing into his role as Edward’s insufferable sidekick and misbehaving lawyer (Welcome to Our World / More Champagne).

The true scene-stealing performance of the night, though, belongs to the impossibly magnetic Jordan Tomljenovic as cheeky, hilarious bellhop Giulio.

Tomljenovic’s emotive facial expressions and flawless comedic timing are endlessly entertaining, and Giulio’s many awkward antics truly enrich the story with much-needed camp and comic relief. Tomljenovic’s star power is brimming with promise, and is destined for much bigger, brighter stages.

The film’s iconic legacy hovers warmly over the production, with obvious fan-service flashbacks; Vivian’s fabulous shopping trip, Edward tenderly playing the piano, and of course *that* unforgettable red dress with *that* cute jewellery-box moment – thrown in for good measure.

At its core, however, Pretty Woman: The Musical never quite reaches the same emotional or storytelling potential as its original. What unfolds on stage is a polished, charming throwback, with predictable dialogue and adequately satisfactory songs, that ultimately stops shy of being truly memorable.

Still, it makes for a fun evening for long-time fans and theatre enthusiasts eager to relive the familiar, long-enduring modern fairytale story. After all, as Vivian famously says once, “It’s a business doing pleasure with you” – indeed.

Pretty Woman: the Musical runs to 13 September in Melbourne at the Regent Theatre as its final leg of the national tour.

Tickets: https://prettywomanthemusical.com.au/tickets/melbourne/

Website: https://prettywomanthemusical.com.au/

Socials: https://www.instagram.com/prettywomanmusicalau/

Photo credits: Daniel Boud