When reference is made to Hollywood's 'Golden Era' and the great musicals of the thirties, one film stands head and shoulders (and hat) above the rest; 1935's Top Hat.
With an iconic score composed by Irving Berlin and starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers at the very peak of their powers, Top Hat was studio RKO's biggest hit of the decade, collecting five times its production budget in takings and picking up four Academy Award nominations.
The so-called screwball comedy is about an American dancer, Jerry Travers, who comes to London to star in a new production and instead focuses much of his attention on trying to win the affection of a neighbour in his apartment block, Dale Tremont.
What follows is a classic tale of comic deception, misunderstanding, a love triangle and a lot of dancing, featuring Astaire's most celebrated tap solo, to 'Top Hat, White Tie and Tails', and perhaps the film's most famous number, 'Cheek to Cheek'.
The stage production currently running at the Aldwych Theatre until October, is an award-winning show that has garnered three Laurence Olivier Awards plus the coveted Evening Standard Best Night Out award. Currently, Tony and Olivier award nominated Gavin Lee and Broadway leading lady Kristen Beth Williams star as Jerry Travers and Dale Tremont.