It’s been over a decade since TOP HAT THE MUSICAL last tapped its way across a Cardiff stage, and judging by the buzz in the Wales Millennium Centre last night, audiences were more than ready for its return. The Welsh opening night carried a real sense of occasion. This is one of those golden-age musicals that wears its charm proudly, and from the very first note, it was clear the production had no intention of disappointing.
A DAZZLING START
The curtain rose on a spectacle that immediately justified the anticipation. The opening number, with its full company of dancers, crisp choreography, and gleaming art deco set, delivered everything a musical like this should. The costumes sparkled under the lights, feathers swayed in time with the orchestra, and the ensemble moved with an effortless precision that made it all look easy. It was a reminder of how much joy a well-executed tap sequence can bring.
There’s something wonderfully transportive about Top Hat. Its world of 1930s glamour, romantic misunderstandings, and witty wordplay feels both nostalgic and surprisingly fresh when performed with this much energy. The Cardiff audience responded with warmth from the start, laughing and applauding in all the right places.
A BRIEF HICCUP AND A SMOOTH RECOVERY
About halfway through the first act, the evening took an unexpected turn. The action suddenly stopped mid-scene, the curtain came down, and an announcement informed us there’d be a short pause to sort out an issue on stage. There was a gentle murmur through the auditorium, that collective moment of uncertainty when live theatre reminds you it really is live.
It took only a few minutes before everything was reset and running again, and when the curtain lifted, the cast jumped back in as though nothing had happened. The pause barely dented the momentum of the night. In fact, it was a subtle reminder of the sheer number of people involved in making a show like this work. The backstage crew, stage managers, and technical team handled the situation with calm professionalism, and the audience rewarded their effort with supportive applause.
The two superb main leads, PHILLIP ATTMORE (Jerry Travers) and AMARA OKEREKE (Dale Tremont) completely unfazed by the slight interruption to the show.
PERFORMANCES FULL OF CHARM AND WIT
The strength of this production lies not only in its visual dazzle but also in its comedic timing. Top Hat is a show that relies on quick-fire humour as much as on its musical numbers, and last night’s cast had that balance down perfectly.
While it’s always difficult to single out individuals in such a strong ensemble, several performances stood out for the right reasons. SALLY ANN TRIPLETT as Madge brought effortless comedic flair, her delivery sharp and mischievous. JAMES HUME as Horace matched her beat for beat, the two bouncing off each other with the kind of rhythm that comes from real stage chemistry.
JAMES CLYDE as Bates was a delight, the quintessential dry, unflappable butler with a knack for stealing scenes through understatement alone. And ALEX GIBSON-GIORGIO as Alberto delivered one of the night’s biggest laughs with his exuberant physical comedy and impeccable timing. Together, they anchored the show’s humour in genuine character rather than overplaying the silliness, which made it all the more enjoyable.
MUSIC AND MOVEMENT
The musical numbers, of course, are what most people come for, and they did not disappoint. “Puttin’ on the Ritz” brought the house down with its tightly drilled choreography and rich, full sound. The orchestra, tucked neatly below the stage, kept the score bright and buoyant throughout. Vocally, the cast met the music’s demands with ease, and the blend of live singing and dance created that special sense of theatre magic you can’t quite replicate anywhere else.
The second act moved at an easy pace, and by the time the finale rolled around, there was a palpable feeling of joy in the room. The applause at the end was loud, sustained, and thoroughly deserved.
A TRIUMPHANT RETURN
After ten years away, Top Hat the Musical has returned to Cardiff with all the elegance and exuberance that made it a hit the first time around. Even with a small technical hiccup, the evening was a masterclass in old-school musical theatre done right, glamorous, funny, and full of heart.
This was a sparkling reminder of why Top Hat remains one of the greats: it knows exactly what it is, and it delivers that with charm to spare.
TOP HAT THE MUSICAL is at the Wales Millennium Centre through to Saturday 15th November. Performances are at 7:30pm with a 2:30pm matinee on Thursday and Saturday. For more details and tickets, go HERE.
You can read our original feature HERE.
