West Side Story Review

West Side Story is one of those musicals everyone purports to love, but which doesn't often see the light of day. Some auspicious names are attached to its production: it's directed by choreographer Jerome Robbins and Citizen Kane editor Robert Wise (brought in to execute the non-dance parts), and the songs are by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. Yet, to contemporary audiences, it lacks the kitsch appeal of The Sound Of Music, the Sunday afternoon charm of Oliver! or the critical praise of Singin' In The Rain.

Adapted from an early 1950s stage play by Arthur Laurents, itself an adaptation of 'Romeo And Juliet', this tale of forbidden young love won 10 Academy Awards on its release and was praised for its relevance, exuberance and emotive power. The dizzying choreography alone justifies the plaudits, the notorious opening number an exhilarating exposition of the power-play between the rival gangs, the all-American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks.