Andy Howells reviews Pretty Woman: The Musical starring Amber Davies, Oliver Savile and Ore Oduba at Wales Millennium Centre until May 4, 2024
Pretty Woman: The Musical has arrived at Wales Millennium Centre on its debut UK Tour. However, if you’re anticipating yet another jukebox musical paired with a stage adaptation of the original movie – forget it – this one holds its own in presentation, originality, and performance and you don’t need to be a fan of the original to enjoy it.
From the Beverley Hill’s backstreets to penthouse suites, free spirited street walker Vivian’s life changes when she meets wealthy businessman Edward who hires her for a week to escort him to several business and social functions. In the week, both individuals’ values change, not just towards each other, but also to the people and places around them.
A scene from Pretty Woman The Musical, playing Wales Millennium Centre until May 4, 2024. Photo Marc Brenner 
A scene from Pretty Woman The Musical, playing Wales Millennium Centre until May 4, 2024. Photo Marc Brenner 
A scene from Pretty Woman The Musical, playing Wales Millennium Centre until May 4, 2024. Photo Marc Brenner 
A scene from Pretty Woman The Musical, playing Wales Millennium Centre until May 4, 2024. Photo Marc Brenner 
A scene from Pretty Woman The Musical, playing Wales Millennium Centre until May 4, 2024. Photo Marc Brenner 
A scene from Pretty Woman The Musical, playing Wales Millennium Centre until May 4, 2024. Photo Marc Brenner 
A scene from Pretty Woman The Musical, playing Wales Millennium Centre until May 4, 2024. Photo Marc Brenner 
A scene from Pretty Woman The Musical, playing Wales Millennium Centre until May 4, 2024. Photo Marc Brenner 
A scene from Pretty Woman The Musical, playing Wales Millennium Centre until May 4, 2024. Photo Marc Brenner
While Pretty Woman: The Musical features several familiar dialogue lines from the film, it’s the original score from Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, that enables the stage adaptation to hit the road running. Several memorable musical sequences including a stunning company opening with Welcome To Hollywood, quickly dismiss the thought that this is a straight copy of the film version.
Ore Oduba steals the show with a chameleon-like omnipresence as the streetwise Happy Man and hotel proprietor come guardian angel Mr Thompson. Oduba’s finest moments include leading the dance number, Don’t Forget to Dance with the company, who take the opportunity to drop in a few jokey references to Oduba’s time on Strictly Come Dancing and adding a comedic twist to the opera scene in the second act. Ore Oduba fits the Happy Man role like a glove – perfect!
Amber Davies shines in the role of Vyvyan, giving a beautiful vocal performance of Anywhere but Here, a song, like several other numbers as depth and personality to her character. Miss Davies rapport and on-stage chemistry with Oliver Savile as the suave Edward Lewis is also a joy to witness, particularly in the You’re Beautiful shopping sequence towards the close of Act One.
Further strong performances come from Natalie Paris who brings a steely vocal to several numbers including Luckiest Girl in the World as the feisty but lovable Kate de Luca. Two very different talents to mention are Noah Harrison’s Giulio, who adds several Chaplinesque visual comedy moments throughout the show and Lila Falce-Bass as Violetta who got much appreciation for her operatic vocalising in several scenes. Undoubtedly, both are ones to watch an appreciate on the stage in the future!
Everyone was out of their seats for the final number, a version of Roy Orbison’s classic Oh Pretty Woman, no surprise for a musical that’s pretty awesome!
For Pretty Woman: The Musical ticket availability. Visit Wales Millennium Centre’s website.