(Michael Billington’s article appeared in the Guardian, 11/6.)
This musical version of a famously dark 1957 movie died a slow death on Broadway in 2002. Now it gets its British premiere in a production featuring third-year students of the Arts Educational school. I can only report that no musical this year has given me more pleasure: the story is gripping, the Marvin Hamlisch score dramatically powerful, and the dancing as good as you will find in any West End show.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/nov/06/sweet-smell-of-success-review