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4 reasons to go see Top Hat at the Théâtre du Châtelet!

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The Editor

©Andrew Perry

Until May 3, 2026, the Théâtre du Châtelet is hosting Top Hat, a musical comedy featuring the music of Irving Berlin, adapted from the 1935 movie with Fred Astaire. Filled with love, humor, tap dancing, and mix-ups, this show warms our hearts with its contagious energy and catchy choreography. We've seen it, we've loved it, and we're here to tell you why.

There are masterpieces that have been hidden in the shadows for far too long that truly deserve the spotlight of dozens of stage lights. This spring, the Théâtre du Châtelet is dusting off one of them: Top Hat. And even if its title doesn’t ring a bell, one of its iconic songs, “Cheek to Cheek” will surely sound familiar to you. From April 15 to May 3, 2026, grab your top hats and get ready to dive into a delightful American musical experience… right in the heart of Paris!


1) A cinematic masterpiece finally shining on stage

If Top Hat reveals its full splendor on the boards of the Châtelet in 2026, it actually came to life on screen over 90 years ago, in this delightful tale of love and misunderstandings. In 1935, director Mark Sandrich made a mark on the film world by introducing a duo that became legendary: Fred Astaire as Jerry Travers and Ginger Rogers as Dale Tremont. 


©Andrew Perry

We had to wait until 2013 for this story to be adapted for the first time into a musical in a London West End theater. And now, Paris has the joy of hosting this production, based on a script by Matthew White and Howard Jacques, and directed by Kathleen Marshall.


2) A timeless story that still works wonderfully 

Sure, the theme is far from being the most contemporary: Jerry Travers (Philipp Attmore), a genuine star in the United States and an inveterate charmer, heads to London to perform in a new show. He doesn’t expect to fall head over heels for Dale Tremont (Nicole-Lily Baisden), whom he meets during a late-night dance in his guesthouse room.

But the beautiful lady isn't so easily fooled, especially since, not knowing the name of her suitor, she won't hesitate to mix him up with Horace, her producer…


©Andrew Perry

And yet, the magic happens — brilliantly. Humor and misunderstandings intertwine with love stories, in a perfectly balanced way. The expertly timed use of repetition comedy keeps the audience captivated by the story, along with the performances in acting and singing that make it feel like the actors have always embodied these roles. The second half of the show, which transports us to Italy, gives a new momentum to the story with the arrival of the sparkling Madge Harwick, brilliantly portrayed by Emma Williams. The knots unravel, the tongues loosen, and exaggeration plays with the burlesque. The result is right on cue: if the lights...;if the lights hadn't come back on, the applause would surely have lasted for a long time. 


3) Choreographies That Stay Engraved in Our Memories 

If we had to choose just one reason, it might just be this one. The voices are magnificent, but without the dance, Top Hat wouldn’t exist. From the very first minutes, the tap dancing resonates with striking precision, setting the tone and rhythm of the show right away.

In constant dialogue with the orchestra — under the baton of Matthew Spalding — the choreographies unfold with an unparalleled lightness, supported by sumptuous costumes with a polished aesthetic, immersing us in a timeless atmosphere.


4) An immersive and dazzling scenography

Could we be more enchanted by this circular scenography reminiscent of a decor worthy of The Great Gatsby? Certainly not. Through its sets, Peter McKintosh pays tribute to the original film and the 1930s, while infusing a modernity that captures the eye at every moment of the 2 hours and 40 minutes of the show. The prominent use of gold and sparkling colors echoes both Jerry's success and the vibrant personalities of each character. 

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©Johan Persson

From the United States to Italy, passing through the United Kingdom, the scene is always changing: hotel room, stage set, Venetian palace… The items brought in as well as the rotating movements of the stage fully immerse us in this elegant and twirling universe. We leave in awe, with a single wish: dancing.


Top Hat
Châtelet Theater
1, Place du Châtelet — 4th
Until May 3, 2026
More info