Funny Girl

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Funny Girl: A West End Legacy of Laughter and Love

"Funny Girl" premiered in London’s West End at the Prince of Wales Theatre on April 13, 1966, marking a triumphant transatlantic leap for the musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill, and a book by Isobel Lennart. Running for a 14-week season, it starred Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice, the Brooklyn-born comedienne whose rise from music hall obscurity to Broadway stardom unfolds against her stormy romance with gambler Nick Arnstein. Directed by Lawrence Kasha, this semi-autobiographical tale grossed £225,000 ($630,000) at full capacity. Revived at the Savoy Theatre from April 9 to October 8, 2016, with Sheridan Smith in the lead, the Michael Mayer-directed production extended its run twice, cementing its status with a cast recording and a bittersweet blend of hits like "Don’t Rain on My Parade" and "People," enchanting West End audiences across decades.

Origins and Transatlantic Journey

The musical’s roots trace to Lennart’s original story, inspired by Fanny Brice’s real-life ascent, first hitting Broadway on March 26, 1964, at the Winter Garden Theatre with Streisand, Sydney Chaplin, and Kay Medford. After 17 previews and a 1,348-performance run across three venues, directed by Garson Kanin with Jerome Robbins’ oversight, it earned eight Tony nods but no wins. Its 1966 West End debut followed Streisand’s star-making turn, with Kasha adapting it for London’s more intimate Prince of Wales stage. The 2016 Savoy revival, born at the Menier Chocolate Factory in December 2015, saw Smith’s Olivier-nominated Fanny a role she’d reprise in a filmed 2018 release selling out in 90 minutes before transferring, a testament to its enduring pull and Harvey Fierstein’s revised book.

The West End Productions

The 1966 Prince of Wales run featured Streisand as Fanny, Lee Allen as Eddie Ryan, and Sarah Brackett in the ensemble, packing houses for 14 weeks with standing-room crowds. The 2016 Savoy production, opening April 20 after previews, starred Smith alongside Darius Campbell as Nick Arnstein, Marilyn Cutts as Mrs. Brice, and Natasha J. Barnes as a standout understudy who stepped in amid Smith’s health struggles. Running 183 performances, it faced turbulence Smith’s BAFTA-night absence and subsequent withdrawals but earned raves, with The Guardian’s Michael Billington praising her “star-is-born quality.” Both eras showcased Fanny’s journey, from “I’m the Greatest Star” audacity to “The Music That Makes Me Dance” heartbreak, framed by distinct directorial visions and West End flair.

Musical and Theatrical Highlights

Styne and Merrill’s score shines with "Don’t Rain on My Parade," Fanny’s defiant anthem, and "People," a tender ballad Streisand made iconic, both reprised in Smith’s soulful 2016 rendition. "You Are Woman, I Am Man" sparkles with Nick’s charm, while "Sadie, Sadie" and "Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat" evoke Ziegfeld Follies pizzazz. The 1966 staging leaned on Streisand’s vocal power, with Carol Haney’s choreography under Robbins’ eye, while 2016’s Lynne Page choreography and Michael Pavelka’s sets brought a fresh intimacy, earning a cast album release on August 5. "Who Are You Now?" and "Funny Girl" itself layered emotional depth, making each West End outing a showcase of theatrical bravado and vulnerability.

Revivals and Global Echoes

Beyond 1966, "Funny Girl" saw a 1996 US tour with Debbie Gibson and a 2009-2010 Drury Lane Oakbrook run with Sara Sheperd. The 2016 Savoy triumph, after Menier’s sellout, spurred a UK cinema broadcast and a 2018 Sydney Opera House concert with a rotating Fanny cast including Caroline O’Connor. Broadway revisited it in 2022 with Lea Michele, topping the Billboard Cast Albums Chart, while a planned 2012 Bartlett Sher revival faltered. The 1968 film, with Streisand’s Oscar-winning turn opposite Omar Sharif, grossed $58 million, amplifying its reach. The West End’s 366 total performances across ’66 and ’16 highlight its sporadic but potent returns, each reigniting Brice’s legacy.

Legacy and Cultural Resonance

"Funny Girl" carved a lasting West End mark, its 1966 debut a Streisand-led sensation and 2016 revival a Smith-driven triumph, together drawing over 750,000 attendees. Outpacing peers in star power, it nabbed three 1987 Oliviers for the ’87 Shaftesbury "Follies" by mistake corrected to acclaim for Smith’s run. Its tale of ambition and heartbreak, rooted in Brice’s real struggles, mirrored 1960s feminist stirrings and 2010s #MeToo echoes. Influencing bio-musicals like "Gypsy," its songs became standards Streisand’s "People" a cultural touchstone, Smith’s "Parade" a modern rallying cry. As of March 2025, its recordings, film, and rare stagings keep Fanny’s funny-sad spirit alive, a West End beacon of resilience and razzle-dazzle.