The production of Top Hat from the Chichester Festival Theatre has arrived at the Southbank Centre for a Christmas season. It brings with it plenty of glamour and the famous songs of Irving Berlin. But while the musical numbers are a joy to watch, the story itself is thin and often feels quite slow.
The cast is undeniably talented. Phillip Attmore returns as Jerry Travers and is full of energy. His background in So You Think You Can Dance clearly shows; his tap dancing is sharp, fast, and exciting. Playing opposite him is Amara Okereke, who is new to the London cast as Dale Tremont. She has a beautiful voice and brings a lovely charm to the role. When the two leads are dancing together to classics like "Cheek to Cheek," the show is wonderful.
The supporting actors also do a great job. Clive Carter and Sally Ann Triplett are back as the bickering couple, Horace and Madge Hardwick. They are experts at comedy and manage to get plenty of laughs from the audience.
However, the show struggles when the music stops. The plot is a classic comedy about mistaken identity—where characters are confused about who everyone else is—but it feels stretched out. What happens next is always very predictable. Even though the actors work hard to keep the energy up, the story drags, and the second half feels much longer than it needs to be.
If you are looking for a show with spectacular dancing and nostalgic songs, this production delivers; the musical numbers are truly great. But you will need some patience for the story, which is not nearly as exciting as the footwork.
Top Hat is at the Southbank Centre until 17 January 2026, before touring to Sheffield, Dublin, Glasgow, and other UK cities. Tickets: here.
Photos: Johan Persson