Musical Geek - Musical Theatre Reviews

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

I always like to quote a lyric, so 'let's hear it for the Rainbow Tour, it's been an incredible success' and I suspect there will be something very similar quoted about this production of Evita by Redditch Operatic Society, it's slick, it's moving and it's thoroughly well received by an enthusiastic audience at the Palace Theatre in Redditch. Lower class actress Eva Peron (played (now let me try and find the right word) quite exceptionally in every facet by Laura Woodall) fights her way to the top and spiritual leader in 1940s Argentina only to pass away before she can achieve everything she wants to. Taking us through the story is the narrational role of Che Guevara, Marxist revolutionary and not convinced by the whole 'she is the saviour of our nation' rhetoric, another stunning performance in every way from David Steele. Evita as Eva is lovingly known by the massed population of Buenos Aires is not averse to stepping on a few people to get what sh

Continuing their productions of musicals that many other societies would simply not attempt, TFTR Productions pick one of the most complex in The Who's, Tommy, this will only be the third time I have seen it in over fifty years on the planet. I guess the reason it is rarely performed is the complicated storyline and the somewhat difficult themes, so let me try and explain in a few words (which is challenging in its own right) ! Pilot during the war and his wife have a child (Tommy), however pilot is taken as a prisoner of war but, presumed dead, she finds another lover only for her husband to return and shoot said 'lover'. Tommy is told to turn away but, witnesses shooting through a mirror and becomes ultimately traumatised (appearing deaf, dumb and blind). Many attempts are made to cure Tommy until mother smashes the mirror in a rage and he is released from his trauma. Tommy attempts to become a spiritual leader for his fans offering hospitality but, they turn on him (even

If you've never seen Stephen Sodheim's 'fairy-tale mashup musical' Into the Woods, you really haven't lived or perhaps existed in some parallel literary universe might be a more appropriate observation. Creators Theatre Company are giving their audience the opportunity to immerse themselves in those stories and the outstanding music and lyrics of the late, great Stephen Sondheim. So what fairy-tale gems will you experience (under the narrator-ship and abounding energy (as the Mysterious Man) of Ian Page), you might ask and in no particular order I would begin with Cinderella (played with consummate characterisation by Chloe Rawson) abused by her step-mother (a scarily authentic performance by Penny Simpkins, frankly I prefer her as the voice of Cinderella's real mother she is much nicer but, that just proves the talents of the performer). Stepmothers of course come with their own daughters in this case the annoyingly incredulous Florinda (Ellen Tozer) and Lucind

Due to my wonderful mother (sadly no longer with us) I was raised on a diet of Elvis Presley and Doris Day, so it is was particularly interesting to watch the Black Hills of Dakota taking root in Stourbridge Town Hall for Cradley Heath Amateur Operatic Society (CHAOS) and their production of Calamity Jane and it seriously felt like I was back in the 'Old West' in Deadwood City at the Golden Garter. Henry Miller (certainly a fizzy sarsaparilla of a comedy performance from J. Paul Murdock) and his neice Susan (played by Bek Millward) are struggling to find a star-turn for his establishment (the aforementioned 'Golden Garter') and the male dominated audience. He believes he has found an actress called Frances Fryer to calm the testosterone fuelled frenzy but, this is not Frances, it is Francis a talented actor but, certainly not the feminine charms expected although willing to don a dress and attempt to fool the locals (a talented all round performance from Adam Partridge)

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