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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Bruce Dessau's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Sean Foley.
Cast: Arturo Brachetti
Description: Entertainer and actor Brachetti showcases more than 100 characters in a solo show written and directed by Sean Foley.
Times: From Oct 19, Mon, Wed-Sat 7.30pm, mats Thu, Sat 2.30pm, Sun 4pm (press night Oct 26, 7pm, no mat perf Oct 22), ends Jan 3
Price: £15-£45, Sat mats/eves and from Dec 28, £15-£50, previews £20, concs £10
Trains: Tube: Leicester Square 
Phone: 0870890 1101
Website: www.nimaxtheatres.com
Utterly seductive: Arturo Brachetti dresses up for Britain
In his native Italy Arturo Brachetti is a superstar, but he is unknown here. That is about to change, which is apt, because Change — the title of this show — is what Brachetti is all about.
He is the world’s fastest quick-change artist and when, in the opening minutes, he flips from guardsman to punk to Queen Elizabeth in a nanosecond barely out of view, one can see why.
He is not easy to review though. Looking down to make notes means missing a brace of breathtaking switcheroos.
The narrative, about Brachetti reflecting on his past, is a loose peg on which to hang tight sketches, some new, some ancient. Some so corny you wonder why director Sean Foley kept them in.
Maybe the slushy moments work in the boyish, nimble 52-year-old’s Turin home town but Londoners are fussier. As spoof newsreel footage mid-set says: “You’ve got to be a little cleverer than that for us Brits, Arturo.”
Fortunately he often is. After a start of tacky tourist postcard impressions (city gent, pearly queen), proceedings take shape inside a giant Mondrian-influenced crate. Some tricks are excellent, such as his head tumbling from his neck. A shadow puppetry sequence is exquisitely executed, albeit feeling like the stuff of children’s entertainers rather than West End superstars.
Things ratchet up after the interval, opening with Brachetti’s violinist routine in which he fiddles while attacking himself, part-Chaplin, part-Rod Hull. His big set-piece, however, is a Hollywood tribute featuring him rattling through umpteen iconic figures from Scarlett O’Hara and Gollum to the Wizard of Oz’s Dorothy.
There are a few easy jokes, although the thrill is in the sheer velocity, not the wit. If one is not an Italian cinema buff his Fellini homage might be more bemusing than amusing, yet there is no faulting the finale of further astounding costume swaps and aerial antics. With his cheeky grin and sing-song accent Brachetti is impossible to dislike. This would make a terrific Christmas family outing. Utterly undemanding, frequently seductive.
Until 3 January. Information: 0844 412 4662, www.nimaxtheatres.com/change
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
I took my 8 year old daughter to see a preview and she loved it - we were both left open mouthed at some of the speed of the changes and his enchanting magic. That said there are a couple of places where the show could be tightened up but for good honest entertainment go!
- Anna, London
Saw a preview last week - highly entertaining, great to see 'variety' in the West End.
The quick changes are amazing, the shadow puppets are fun and the Hollywood routine was very funny.
Oh and the magic was cleverly weaved into the show too! All in all an entertaining way to spend a couple of hours.
- J Davies, United Kingdom
We took the whole family and all throughly enjoyed it. You would have to have a hard heart not to. This is proper family entertainment which suited a small theatre such as the Garrick well. I would thoroughly recommend it.
- Haw, London, UK
We saw one of the preview performances for this "superstar". We couldnt leave fast enough. So he changes clothes quickly. Amazing!! After ten minutes youve seen his entire act. So he changes into DIFFERENT clothes. Big deal. Then he does shadow puppets. WOW! Look "here is a dog. Here is an elephant, here are two rabbits humping" Fantasic skill and wit!!! We waited for the interval because it was too embarassing to leave during the silence of his act. This "act" is an insult to ones intelligence and I wouldnt give it house room at a kids birthday party. They would riot due to boredom. The only consolation was that we got the tickets for free and didnt feel as if we had thrown good money down the pan!! My advice DONT GO!
- Cjc, London UK
Change is pure magical entertainment, enthralling, enjoyable and thoroughly brilliant - I loved it.
- Jacob Gryn, London, UK
