It’s a jungle out there for 1950s teenagers...

In this reviewer’s opinion it is highly likely that the entire cast and crew of the Oxford University student production of West Side Story will fail their exams this year – for they could hardly have put on such an impressive performance at the Oxford Playhouse without severely leaving their studies by the wayside!

Romeo and Juliet meets Lord of the Flies when two groups of youngsters in pre-gentrified Upper West Side Manhattan attempt to make sense of their existence by forming gangs, Sharks vs. Jets, divided along ethnic lines, with “PRs” – Puerto Ricans – on one side, and “Americans”, or slightly more established immigrants from Poland and other parts of Europe, on the other side.

The many well-known songs by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, such as '(I like to be in) America' and 'I feel pretty', as well as other numbers more heavy with adolescent expectancy – or foreboding – like 'Tonight (they’re gonna get it)', have combined to make this a classic musical from before the genre had fallen into many of the habits we are now so used to.

Though on the one hand the story is filled with a youthfully innocent, romantic approach to love and heroism – on the other hand, it is a true tragedy which concisely, through Arthur Laurents’ book, makes a Shakespearean plot comprehensible and deeply relevant to modern times.

Brandon Levin and Clementine Collett brought the leading duo, Tony and Maria, to life – the two young lovers who challenge their irreconcilable group identities. Levin in particular has a stunning voice, showcased by his many solos and duets with Maria. To make the rapidly developing romance between the two seem credible (in all its naïvety) is a remarkable accomplishment of both the actors and director Dominic Applewhite (of The Inbetweeners notability – yes, Simon’s annoying younger brother is now a music student at New).

Another notable acting performance was Helena Wilson as Maria’s friend Anita who, at the end, was showered with applause. Apart from her, the fullest characterisations are found among the various members of the Jets, whose interplay had a truly aggressive energy to it, while also providing some comic relief. Oluwafemi Nylander and Christopher White also extremely convincingly portrayed the more quiet but crucial roles of Doc, the storeowner who reluctantly hosts the Jets, and Chino, Maria’s rejected suitor.

For many West End shows, a highlight is the set – with mechanically moving stairways, boats, pride-rocks, you name it! In contrast, Nathan Stazicker’s set for this student production was austere, but no less well designed, and in fact in its simplicity very successfully underlined the youngsters’ feeling of abandonment. An industrial arch backdrop, with partitions movable by the cast, meant for a versatile environment in which the cast could shine.

Maths student Ed Addison’s adaptation of Jerome Robbins’ original choreography is very ambitious. West Side Story was groundbreaking for its use of dance back in 1957, but its rebellious vibe was refreshed extremely successfully in this production. A particular joy to watch was the dance routine for 'America' – energetic and funny, with swirling skirts and clicking fingers. The 20+ man band was naturally indispensible in bringing out the dramatic vitality and momentum.

West Side Story brings out timeless themes of being young and growing up, of identity and antipathy, of love and war. This reviewer hopes this talented mass of people will soon take time out from their books and labs to amaze us once more.