In previews until opening night on 19 December 2013
Reviewed 11 December 2013

Great night out: For die hard Webber fans and those who enjoy political satire Morning after effect: Looking up Blackpool's Chamber of Horrors on Google. Just in case. Recommend to friends: Leave the kids at home. The language is pretty coarse at times. Not to mention there's nudity and suggestions of prostitution. Best bit: 'You've Never Had It So Good'. Oh myyyyyy.

Andrew Lloyd Webber makes his first return composing a musical since his much maligned Phantom sequel, Love Never Dies. In a negatively charged political climate, theatre-goers flock to see the Establishment figuratively torn to shreds on the stage. Instead, in the the case of one Mr Ward, we watch as one man is faced with the wrath of a corrupt and vengeful McMillan government. And the jury is still out on whether or not we feel sorry for him.

Great moments are dotted throughout, such as You Never Had It So Good, a raucous, comical orgy scene at a country manor, complete with gimp masks and a dominatrix. Some of the main numbers were let down by sound issues, which will hopefully be sorted out by opening night.

The first act followed a steady pace, briskly demonstrating the charasmatic Ward (played by Alexander Hanson's) power over the young women he gathers to his Clivedon set; the second act dealing with his inevitable downfall was less structured and rushed, with scenes that could have been trimmed, such as the police questioning and subsequent trial.

Ward and Charlotte Spencer's Christine Keller were oddly muted characters without much development throughout for either of them. Charlotte Blackledge as Mandy Rice-Davies, was by contrast sparky and combative.

The unsung heroine of the show was Joanna Riding as Profumo's scorned wife, Vivian Rogers, who provided a truly poignant performance of 'I'm Hopeless When It Comes To You'. Aside from that scene, she was tragically underused, like a trophy wife.

Overall, I was entertained by the musical numbers, however I felt a little disappointed at not learning much more about the Profumo Affair. Well, to be fair, that's what Wikipedia is for.

Reviewed by Natalie Vincent