Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific (London) London Reviews and Tickets

81%

(55 Ratings)

Positive

89%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Great singing, Entertaining, Delightful, Enchanting, Absorbing

About the Show

Chichester Festival Theatre’s critically acclaimed production transfers to Sadler's Wells.

On an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean in 1943, US troops are restlessly waiting for the war to reach them. Nellie Forbush, a navy nurse, finds herself falling for, Emile de Becque, a plantation owner. When a young Lieutenant Joe Cable is flown in on a reconnaissance mission, hearts and minds begin to change as the real war begins.

The classic musical by legendary composers Rodgers and Hammerstein features well-loved classics including 'Some Enchanted Evening', 'Younger than Springtime' and 'I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Out of My Hair'.

Starring Julian Ovenden ('Bridgerton, 'Downton Abbey', 'Merrily We Roll Along') and Gina Beck ('Matilda', 'Wicked' 'Les Misérables').

Show-Score Member Reviews (55)

95%

Great singing, Dated, Delightful

See it if you love classic musicals with brilliant and memorable scores, some fabulous choreography and some stunning singing.

Don't see it if you don't like old fashioned musicals and want something that feels more relevant to the current day. Read more

90%

Fluffy, Enchanting, Delightful, Clever, Absorbing

See it if Lovely singing and lovely colours/staging/energy from the actors

Don't see it if Very little. Perhaps a smidge too long but I appreciate them not tinkering with the formula. See Oklahoma for where they did.

90%

Relevant, Great writing, Intelligent, Great singing, Epic

See it if A great Musical adapted to make it more edgy. Shows how little things have changed. The singing and dancing is well done

Don't see it if Racism

90%

Entertaining, Romantic, Epic, Great singing, Great staging

See it if Glorious production of a classic musical. Brilliant staging and great performances

Don't see it if You aren't a fan of old fashioned musicals.

87%

Great singing, Great staging, Romantic, Entertaining, Dated

See it if You like a classic musical expertly performed and sensitively interpreted.

Don't see it if You want audience participation and have a short attention span.

86%

Enchanting

See it if you adore old-school musicals that haven't lost their charm

Don't see it if you're an & Juliet fan

80%

Great staging, Great singing, Great acting, Entertaining, Enchanting

See it if you love the classics

Don't see it if you don't wanna sit in a theatre for a long time

80%

Enchanting, Great staging, Great singing, Absorbing

See it if You love a classic musical with big staging and beautiful songs.

Don't see it if You prefer a show that's fast paced. South Pacific slowly builds throughout (but is still engaging to watch!)

Critic Reviews (6)

"The production celebrates the lush score and clarifies the script’s attitude to race and exploitation. ... Everything here is in service to the story and score. A revelation."
Read more

" ‘South Pacific’ is meant to be fun, and it is here. But the sober stuff is really allowed to breathe in a well-judged production that plays this musical’s many, often seemingly contradictory strengths."
Read more

" 'South Pacific' insists on 'Some Enchanted Evening', disenchantment, and worse, are never far from this mighty musical’s fearless gaze.
Read more

"In a sublimely well-sung and sumptuously orchestrated production. ... Succumb to the siren call from this shimmering island paradise of a musical."
Read more

"If you want to hear a great score delivered by almost operatic leads and strong support, then this is the show for you."
Read more

"Musically, dramatically and visually sumptuous - this is emotionally and intellectually stimulating musical theatre bliss... 'Rodgers and Hammerstein' end all their shows with some ambivalence."
Read more

Trailer

Creative team

Chichester Festival Theatre

Producer

Oscar Hammerstein II

Bookwriter / Lyricist