Son Of A Preacher Man (UK Touring)
One can never be sure exactly what sort of audience (size or responsiveness) that will appear on a Saturday Matinee, fortunately this one was particularly responsive even though not particularly large for the latest from the Craig Revel Horwood stable of productions, Son Of A Preacher Man based on the music of Dusty Springfield.
I am always interested to know how keen the stars of shows are when it comes to matinees and my attention was even more aroused when all three of the household names here Diana Vickers, Debra Stephenson and Ian Reddington were absent for this performance, I must however say they were ably replaced by some great understudies.
Straight out of the Jukebox Musical genre (with the added Revel Horwood touch of actors playing instruments on stage) this story centres around three characters all drawn back to a building in London that used to be a record store and was run by the musically knowledgeable 'Preacher Man', sadly he has now passed away and the store is now a coffee shop run (you've guessed it) by his son.
All three stories run simultaneously, firstly Paul, played enthusiastically by Michael Howe who remembers the store from his youth and a fleeting gay affair. Secondly Alison a teacher, covered affectionately by Michelle Long who has recently lost her husband and close to striking up an affair with one of her students. Finally Kat, covered outstandingly by Jess Barker, also bereaved having lost her grandmother.
Progressing each story in a sort of Fairy Godfather type role (akin to Clarence Odbody in It's A Wonderful Life) is Simon, covered with panache by Gary Mitchinson, supported by the singing sensations that are the Cappuccino Sisters (Kate Hardisty, Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong and Rachael McAlister).
Supporting cast are excellent including some eye candy for the ladies in the form of Liam Vincent-Kilbride in a kilt along with Jon Bonner, Lewis Kidd and Ellie-Jane Goddard all intertwining multiple roles seamlessly and some occasionally with an instrument in their hand.
Set Design by Morgan Large is exemplary, a lesson in how to fit as many scene shifts on to a stage with the minimum of fuss to keep audience engagement constant.
Directed and Choreographed by the man who is becoming a legend in his own lifetime Craig Revel Horwood (I wonder how he finds the time to do everything he does) and based on the writing of Warner Brown, this is worth a viewing for the music alone as there are some classic tracks to just sit back and enjoy the performance of by talented musicians and voices. Having said that the story adds something special to the whole experience and I would challenge anybody who is not a fan of this type of musical to not have an enjoyable time.
Running until 7th July 2018 (although I believe the cast is due to change to include Michelle Gayle and Alice Barlow from 2018) this is definitely on for the 60s Music and the Musical Theatre connoisseur.
Book Here
I am always interested to know how keen the stars of shows are when it comes to matinees and my attention was even more aroused when all three of the household names here Diana Vickers, Debra Stephenson and Ian Reddington were absent for this performance, I must however say they were ably replaced by some great understudies.
Straight out of the Jukebox Musical genre (with the added Revel Horwood touch of actors playing instruments on stage) this story centres around three characters all drawn back to a building in London that used to be a record store and was run by the musically knowledgeable 'Preacher Man', sadly he has now passed away and the store is now a coffee shop run (you've guessed it) by his son.
All three stories run simultaneously, firstly Paul, played enthusiastically by Michael Howe who remembers the store from his youth and a fleeting gay affair. Secondly Alison a teacher, covered affectionately by Michelle Long who has recently lost her husband and close to striking up an affair with one of her students. Finally Kat, covered outstandingly by Jess Barker, also bereaved having lost her grandmother.
Progressing each story in a sort of Fairy Godfather type role (akin to Clarence Odbody in It's A Wonderful Life) is Simon, covered with panache by Gary Mitchinson, supported by the singing sensations that are the Cappuccino Sisters (Kate Hardisty, Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong and Rachael McAlister).
Supporting cast are excellent including some eye candy for the ladies in the form of Liam Vincent-Kilbride in a kilt along with Jon Bonner, Lewis Kidd and Ellie-Jane Goddard all intertwining multiple roles seamlessly and some occasionally with an instrument in their hand.
Set Design by Morgan Large is exemplary, a lesson in how to fit as many scene shifts on to a stage with the minimum of fuss to keep audience engagement constant.
Directed and Choreographed by the man who is becoming a legend in his own lifetime Craig Revel Horwood (I wonder how he finds the time to do everything he does) and based on the writing of Warner Brown, this is worth a viewing for the music alone as there are some classic tracks to just sit back and enjoy the performance of by talented musicians and voices. Having said that the story adds something special to the whole experience and I would challenge anybody who is not a fan of this type of musical to not have an enjoyable time.
Running until 7th July 2018 (although I believe the cast is due to change to include Michelle Gayle and Alice Barlow from 2018) this is definitely on for the 60s Music and the Musical Theatre connoisseur.
Book Here
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