West Side Story (Birmingham Hippodrome Youth)
It's fair to say that this production of the classic West Side Story could easily lead you to believe that you've stumbled into a West End Theatre of the future and you are witnessing some of the stars of the day entertain the masses as they always hoped they would. However in reality you’re at one of the best provincial theatres in the UK, the Birmingham Hippodrome, experiencing the pick of local youth talent deliver a quite exceptional performance that would be worthy of any West End Stage.
What is even more astounding is the sheer creative artistry and stagecraft on display, both leads Alex Cook (Tony) and Kamilla Fernandes (Maria) are so young yet display the skill of seasoned professionals, in an industry in which it is notoriously difficult to 'make it' one cannot just be a singer, dancer or actor, one has to be all three and these two are exactly that, one can only speculate what standards they will achieve when they complete their respective Musical Theatre qualifications.
Depth of ability in this production is akin to the depth of oceans, Matthew Pandya is a pulsatingly strong Riff, Gibsa Bah a commanding Bernado and Ruby Hewitt a truly exceptional Anita (had she been around in 1961, I imagine she would have given Rita Moreno a run for her money).
I could fill this review with the names of almost all of the cast but, I feel the need to mention so particularly notable performances from Harvey Zaffino as A-Rab, Luke Rossiter as Baby John, Brook Jenkins as Action, Olivia Allen as Anybodys, all of the Shark Girls for their performance of the iconic number 'America' and Chris Cooper for holding his own as an adult in a teaming pool of young piranha talent as a forthright Lieutenant Schrank.
Everybody involved in this production including Director/Choreographer Matt Hawkworth and Musical Director Paul Murphy needs to give themselves a massive pat on the back for what is an unbelievable piece of Musical Theatre.
I look forward to the next production from Birmingham Hippodrome Youth but, there are still two performances left and you might be lucky and be able to grab yourself ticket, I would recommend you make some time and give this one a viewing.
Book Here
What is even more astounding is the sheer creative artistry and stagecraft on display, both leads Alex Cook (Tony) and Kamilla Fernandes (Maria) are so young yet display the skill of seasoned professionals, in an industry in which it is notoriously difficult to 'make it' one cannot just be a singer, dancer or actor, one has to be all three and these two are exactly that, one can only speculate what standards they will achieve when they complete their respective Musical Theatre qualifications.
Depth of ability in this production is akin to the depth of oceans, Matthew Pandya is a pulsatingly strong Riff, Gibsa Bah a commanding Bernado and Ruby Hewitt a truly exceptional Anita (had she been around in 1961, I imagine she would have given Rita Moreno a run for her money).
I could fill this review with the names of almost all of the cast but, I feel the need to mention so particularly notable performances from Harvey Zaffino as A-Rab, Luke Rossiter as Baby John, Brook Jenkins as Action, Olivia Allen as Anybodys, all of the Shark Girls for their performance of the iconic number 'America' and Chris Cooper for holding his own as an adult in a teaming pool of young piranha talent as a forthright Lieutenant Schrank.
Everybody involved in this production including Director/Choreographer Matt Hawkworth and Musical Director Paul Murphy needs to give themselves a massive pat on the back for what is an unbelievable piece of Musical Theatre.
I look forward to the next production from Birmingham Hippodrome Youth but, there are still two performances left and you might be lucky and be able to grab yourself ticket, I would recommend you make some time and give this one a viewing.
Book Here
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