Musical Geek - Musical Theatre Reviews

It's a little known fact that George Bernard Shaw didn't want Pygmalion to be made into a musical or that Rodgers & Hammerstein had a crack at the job before Alan Jay Lerner and Fredrick Loewe finally created the classic we all know and love. What makes this version from Norbury Players, currently running at the Norbury Theatre in Droitwich, memorable in its own right are some epic performances, not least of all from Beth Smith as Eliza Doolittle who creates a flawless character and combines it with an outstanding singing voice. Andrew Bartlett is a creative and animated Professor Henry Higgins, genuinely finding it hard to relinquish a relationship/friendship with Eliza that he never expected to develop and Andy Brown's distinctly military and upper class Colonel Pickering is the perfect foil for both of the lead characters, acting in some ways as a referee to their initially opposing views and approaches. Tam Weir's thoroughly entertaining Alfred P. Doolittle ...

Recently revived on Broadway with The Divine Miss M (Bette Midler) in the leading role, Hello Dolly! is currently running at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, presented by Walsall Operatic Society and with an equally divine and intoxicating Vicki Hardy as Dolly Gallagher Levi meddling matchmaker amongst many other talents. Whilst her success in matchmaking is prolific, her attempts to find a match for 'half a millionaire' Horace Vandergelder, an imposing and authoritative performance from Craig Smith, seem to singularly fail, perhaps because she has eyes for him herself. Her latest attempt at matching Mr Vandergelder is with millinery shop owner Irene Molloy, a charming and beautifully voiced portrayal from Lizzie Buckingham who finds herself more attracted to Vandergelder's chief clerk Cornelius Hackl, played with great self-assurance and stage presence by Adam Gregory who has skipped work and Yonkers to spend a day in New York with fellow clerk Barnaby Tucker, an athle...

There’s something terribly enduring about the story behind ‘Half a Sixpence’, poor guy inherits money only to lose his childhood true love, wins her back but, the money still comes between them and only when it is lost completely do they finally find that love again. If your heart can’t be wrenched and a tear doesn’t come to your eye at some point, it’s debatable whether you’ve really understood the storyline. BMOS Musical Theatre Company have created atmosphere and empathy by the bucket load, some expressive and intelligent choreography from Suzi Budd and expansive direction from Stephen Duckham make this a sheer delight from beginning to end, complemented perfectly by David Easto and his orchestra’s interpretation of David Heneker’s now incredibly well known score. On stage there is an impressive line-up of talent led by Daniel Parker’s totally authentic and entertaining portrayal of Arthur Kipps partnered with the golden voice of Annabel Pilcher as Ann Pornick, probably the huma...

Considering the major names like Cy Coleman, Bob Fosse and Neil Simon that are all connected to the various incarnations of the story of the 'girl who just wanted to be loved' its popularity for performance hasn't been widespread recently, perhaps due to the fact that the performances of Shirley MacLaine and Sammy Davis Jr in the 1969 Movie are so iconic but, Queensbridge MTS have decided to pick up the gauntlet and bring what is a very 60s vibe into the 2000s. What makes this production a hit from beginning is an effervescent performance by Sarah Odom as Charity Hope Valentine, giving Miss MacLaine a run for her money and with an engaging personality that just exudes 'likeable' and has the audience on her side from the first note played by Stephen Greenway's orchestra. Equally 'likeable' but, in a more reserved and endearing way is Sam Troke as Oscar Lindquist, he who coins the phrase 'Sweet Charity' and almost makes her dreams come true, on...