West End's Funny Girl opens tonight — Page 4

Smiths reviews are outstanding. I was so suprised to see so many US members on here question her casting, I knew she would pull this off, she's electric on the stage. 

'

f Sheridan Smith was a star before the lights went up on Funny Girl last night, she was twice the star by the time she took the thunderous curtain-call.

At a stroke – well, over the course of two and half exhilarating hours – she has done what no actress has managed to do since this musical’s 1964 Broadway premiere. That is, follow in Barbra Streisand’s footsteps as the irrepressible Ziegfeld Follies comedienne Fanny Brice and, not only play the part for the first time on the London stage in 50 years, but do so with such terrific aplomb that she has finally laid to rest the idea that no one but Streisand (who made her name in the role) could pull it off.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/theatre/what-to-see/funny-girl-menier-chocolate-factory-review-sheridan-smith-pulls/

"The Music That Makes Me Dance" is a fantastic song in its own right and not self-pitying like "My Man," 

It is a fantastic song in its own right, as is My Man, but they are both anthems of self-effacement and self-pity.

"I'm a much better comic than mathematician, 'cuz I'm better on stage than at intermission, and as far as the man is concerned, if I've been burned, I haven't learned.....  He'll sleep and he'll rise in the light of two eyes that adore him, bore him it might but he won't leave my sight for a glance... (repeated!)... In every way, every day, I need less of myself and need more him..."

Well I have to disagree with The Stage that Act II has no good music - maybe it's just that people who know the music aren't familiar enough with Who Re You Now and Music That Kakes Me Dance. This sounds really solid and pretty much the best it could be. Sounds like Fierstein has not done too much to change it. Really wish I could see. 

Eric, which Facebook page are the photos on? I looked on the Menier page but they just have rehearsal photos, and I can't find a page for the actual production or the Savoy.

Thanks for clarifying Eric, I was struggling to find them too.