Review Roundup: Lincoln Center's SOUTH PACIFIC at the Barbican

Set during World War II, South Pacific is the sweeping romantic story of two couples, threatened by the realities of war. 

Considered one of the finest musicals ever written, the score includes Some Enchanted Evening, I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and There is Nothin' Like a Dame.

The breathtaking Lincoln Center Theater production which reinvented this classic musical won 7 Tony Awards, sold out on Broadway for 2 years and comes to the Barbican Theatre from until 1 October 2011. Does this new production provide an enchanted evening of its own? Find out below!

Charles Spencer, The Telegraph: Though not quite as lavish as the original Lincoln Centre production, this touring version with beautiful South Sea island designs and a fine 25-piece pit orchestra making the most of the brilliant score, still proves a moving and uplifting experience.

Paul Taylor, The Independent: [South Pacific] ran for two years at New York's Lincoln Centre, won seven Tony Awards and has been recreated at the Barbican Centre, prior to a national tour. Does it live up to expectation? Insufficiently, in my opinion...this comes across as a highly accomplished, but faintly bland and traditional treatment.

Michael Billington, The Guardian: For all its melodic glories, the show is also beginning to show its age. The best reason for seeing this revival is to catch the Brazilian-born baritone Paulo Szot as Emile...Samantha Womack sings well as Nellie, she is quintessentially English to be wholly convincing as a naive nurse from Little Rock: it's a conscientious but cautious performance.

Stay tuned for more reviews as they become available!

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