Disenchanted ! (Third From The Right Productions)

If you thought 'The Internet Is For Porn' from Avenue Q had stretched the boundaries of political incorrectness you've obviously never seen Disenchanted ! or heard the pithily titled 'Big Tits', this is one of those musicals (yet to really have any significantly lengthy outing in the UK) that you'll want to see again and again.

A posse of fairytale princesses, predominantly from the Disney stable tell their story as you really should have heard it and without a handsome or charming prince in sight and it's difficult not to sympathise with their plight and laugh out loud at the same time, it makes for an evening of beautiful, yet bawdy entertainment.

Hosted by three of the classic characters Snow White (played by the powerfully voiced Natalie Baggott), Cinderella (a perfection in 'ditzy' from Jo Foley) and Sleeping Beauty (understated but, not undermined by Gaynor Whitehouse) the audience is taken through a pastiche of scenes and characters, in which the reality of many stories is exposed. We find that that these storybook princesses are not necessarily the nice, obedient, loved-up and as per the previously mentioned song, 'well stacked' ladies that we have been led to believe.

Everything from the insanity of Belle (played with a touch of the Hannibal Lecter by Kerry Davies), through the lesbian discovery of Mulan (great comic timing from Amy Pearson) and the mock German Rapunzel (worth considerably more than 'one red cent' from Kaz Luckins) to Pocahontas (the buxomly voiced Gillain Homer) entertained thoroughly.

Difficult to find a specific highlight in what is an apex production in itself but, Sarah Coussens and her outrageous Little Mermaid made me laugh the loudest, bemoaning her losses in order to merely gain 'two legs'.

Dennis.T.Giacino's highly irreverent look at the world of the 'princess complex' is directed immaculately by Jez Luckins and brought to life musically by Chris Corcoran, I'm sure were the great Walt Disney still alive he would have had a wry smile at this one.

Strangely I would normally be pointing at the Web Site and recommending that everybody books tickets before they sell out but, they already have and that is my only criticism, more performances guys, two was never going to be enough.

Check out the TFTR Productions Web Site anyway and keep your eyes peeled for their next show, if this is anything to go by, you'll not want to miss it.

TFTR Productions Web Site




Comments

  1. Unknown2 September 2017 at 13:13

    Couldn't agree more, Tim. An amazing show, awesomely delivered by a really strong ensemble. Could transfer to the West End straight away as it is.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dick Whittington (Star-Struck Theatre Company)

It's that time of the year to journey to where the 'streets are paved with gold', yes Sedgley ! at the Dormston Mill Theatre for Star-Struck Theatre and their production of Dick Whittington a production of total comedy and audience enjoyment, just how Panto should be. Join our hero Richard Whittington or 'Dick' to his friends (oh the cue for much intended and perhaps even some unintended innuendo) a swaggering performance from Ethan Hamblett on his journey to London and eventually Morocco (Panto knows no geographical boundaries, nor the relevance of indigenous species if Keith Cartwright as 'Gonzo the Gorilla' running around scaring people in the sand dunes is anything to go by !). Love interest provided by the glorious presence and vocal of Freya Butlin as Alice Fitzwarren still sadly overtly fathered by Andrew Bennett's subtly comic Alderman Fitzwarren but, only too keen to become betrothed to our Dick. Laugh out loud comic moments led by Richard Probe
Read more

Musical Fable of Stourbridge

The name is Brannigan, Lieutenant Brannigan to you, 14th Precinct New York, I was on a stake-out at a place they call the Town Hall, I've heard of City Hall but, this was something different, joints within a joint, just a front for illegal activity in my book. Infiltrated myself into their seedy back room haunt, it was men only and obviously gambling makes you forgetful, if it wasn't their shoes, it was their shirt, one couldn't even remember my name but, that works in my favour while I am gathering evidence. What a bunch of low lives, hiding behind a Mission (I kept hearing 'Sally Army', I think the Brits have invaded but, its a bit early for The Beatles) fronted-up by 'The Sergeant' Sarah Brown, she's a looker with a voice that could shatter crystal but, I knew she had a weak point, trip to Havana, couple of Bacardi's and she forgets which side of the law she is on, some broads are an easy target. Then there's the old guy, Abernathy, always sin
Read more

Cats (Vic's School of Musical Theatre)

Well I have seen a few musical productions in my time and have been inspired to write some elaborate and auspicious words by many but, I am a little concerned that I might not have all the right observations to do justice to what can only be described as a truly breathtaking production of 'Cats' by Vic's School of Musical Theatre (the Vic in question being Vicky Addis, somebody who whilst being blessed with some talented youngsters to theatrically mould, obviously knows how to turn potential into reality on stage). Just to fill the gap if you haven't had the 'Cats' experience yet, basically poems by T.S. Eliot set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, a theatre filler since the 1980s and will undoubtedly fill the Parish Rooms at Blakedown in this case, for its sadly all too short run. So, where do I start with a plethora of engaging and characterful performances, perhaps with the captivating portrayal of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser by Kate Downes and Molly Cooper, a
Read more