The description on the website threatens "a triumph of 1960s sexual work-place politics"
but also promises Burt Bacharach songs, making Southwark Playhouse's latest musical
revival something of a mixed prospect. Bacharach provides the music, Hal David the
lyrics and Neil Simon the book for
Promises, Promises, the musical adaptation
of Billy Wilder film
The Apartment. Chuck Baxter (Gabriel Vick) has a junior
role in a huge New York insurance firm, but doesn't realise he also has a secret
weapon in the form of his tiny apartment, only a couple of blocks away from the
office. Numerous married executives are having affairs with young women working at
the company, and they talk Chuck into letting them use his apartment for sex, in
return for putting in a good word for him at work. He finally gets his promotion
when the personnel director Sheldrake (Paul Robinson, not the one from
Neighbours) finds out and joins the club.
