Musical Geek - Musical Theatre Reviews

Turning a venue in the Black Country into the run down surroundings of Skid Row and a certain Mushnik Florist Shop is one thing, creating a creditable version of what is a Cult Musical in the form of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's 'Little Shop of Horrors' as your inaugural production is quite another. Star-Struck Theatre Company have however achieved both under the expert direction of Ashley Wilkes, choreography of Emilie Walters and musical direction of Ben Batt and in the words of the song 'Don't Feed The Plant' instead feed your desire for some captivating musical theatre. Unlikely botanical genius Seymour Krelborn played with geeky and ungainly perfection by Matt Colley discovers a hitherto unknown plant type and names it Audrey II after co-worker blonde bombshell Audrey a picture of ditziness with a powerful singing voice from Victoria Bull, who he worships from afar. Sadly said plant has a taste for human blood and can only be satisfied by a successio

We are all probably at the point of thinking has there ever been a point without a musical based on the songs of Abba and it is almost twenty years since the debut in the West End of this show which brought the music of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus to the theatre stage, since than it has been an ever-present in London, appeared in theatres across the world, spawned a movie (with a second on the way) and is currently touring the UK provinces. At this performance the pivotal role of Donna Sheridan was taken with some gusto by Kay Milbourne delivering with a great voice and stunning characterisation, joined by Gillian Hardie as a genuinely amusing yet touching Rosie and Emma Clifford as 'man eater' Tanya (the 'Does Your Mother Know' scene is a brilliant piece of musical theatre). Lack of knowledge as to the exact identity of her father has driven Donna's daughter Sophie to invite all three possibilities to her wedding, a sophisticated performance as Sam Carmic

Dropping back into the 1960s with The Young Ones (nothing to do with Cliff Richard for those who like me remember that far back, rather some of the best of the Black Country youth theatrical talent) for one of those 'feelgood' musicals with a real message to deliver. We're not only talking the 'nicest kids in town' here but, also some of the most accomplished on a stage, Owen Bradley provides a virtuoso performance as mother Edna Turnblad, it's a tough call for a guy to play a woman at any level and he makes it look like a 'walk in the park'. Maddy Rock mixes high levels of all three performing skills (sing, dance and act) to deliver an energetic, likeable and thoroughly entertaining Tracy Turnblad and creates a perfect blend with love interest Link Larkin played with authority and sophistication by Alex Cook. Whilst there are an assortment of melodic voices in this cast, there is something especially appealing about that emanating from Izzy Westley-

I might be inclined to call this a Play with Music rather than a Musical in the true sense of the word but, whatever the case this hard-hitting, gritty and uncompromising production written by Tristan Bernays with music by Douglas Irvine is an extremely interesting piece of theatre bringing some insight into the ‘Teddy Boy/Girl’ culture of the 1950s in those year post World War II when repressed teenage angst boiled over into defiant rebellion. When it comes to the central storyline this is fundamentally a two-hander which makes the performances of Molly Chesworth as feisty female Josie and George Parker as smooth male Teddy, even more exceptional. Not only do they play these roles but, an array of other characters both male and female who bring to life the story of one night for these strangers who are drawn by fate together with calamitous consequences. Easing the whole process along, providing some light relief from the intensity of the action, are a team of mega-talented musici

Gracing the stage at a new venue for me Sutton Coldfield Town Hall are Tudor MCS with their version of the currently popular (on the amateur circuit) Alan Menken and Glenn Slater musical Sister Act. Director Faye Easto has assembled a glorious array of nuns to provide some power into the big numbers of this production and ‘Take Me To Heaven’ at the close of Act 1 almost raises the roof literally. It isn’t however necessarily the number of nuns that defines the real entertainment value, it’s the quality of the sound made across the cast both individually and as a whole that really counts. Marsha Webbe is a soulfully controlled Deloris Van Cartier with just the right amount of exuberant touches to keep the portrayal believable. Contrasting nicely are Jenny Padley’s constantly excited Sister Mary Patrick, Paula Lumsden’s grittily comic Sister Mary Lazarus and the dewy-eyed charm of Hattie Rumsey’s Sister Mary Robert. Trying desperately to keep control of her convent is Sally Joliffe a