The Producers (St Augustine's Musical Theatre Company)
One can only guess at what was going through the genius brain of Mel Brooks whilst writing 'The Producers' that pushed him towards a story about trying to make a 'Broadway Flop' and abscond with the disguised profits from the whole escapade. Now almost twenty years after it first appeared on Broadway itself the storyline seems so clear and strangely entertaining but, it must have been a risk with that level of controversial subjectivity and irreverence, perhaps this means that theatre is indeed exempt in some ways from 'political correctness'.
St Augustine's Musical Theatre Company bring their production of this musical to the stage at the Solihull Core Theatre with John Morrison as failed Broadway Producer, Max Bialystock an outstanding performance of pathos, comedy and more facial expression than you can shake a big stick at. Partnering with Richard Perks as meek accountant Leo Bloom, a skillful portrayal of a flawed character with plentiful dreams but, not quite sure how to make them a reality (my understanding is that Richard is suffering from an illness but, the standard of his stagecraft is such that you really wouldn’t know, he is the epitome of ‘the show must go on’).
Much depends on the interaction between these characters, the initial dominance of Max but, Leo gradually gaining more confidence and ultimately disappearing to Rio with the money and the girl while Max languishes in prison. Talking of girls the performance of the night (in so many ways) is Nicki Willetts as Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yansen Tallen Hallen Svaden Swanson, a big name and a larger than life portrayal, if you’ve got it, flaunt it and she does.
If you’re going to find a show that’s a sure fire flop, it will of course be written by a Hitler loving, Nazi pigeon fancier, an uber piece of character acting from Nick Salter as Franz Liebkind and directed by a completely ineffective cross-dressing Director, the ever excellent Mike Bentley as Roger de Bris alongside his common-law assistant Carmen Ghia played with unlimited enthusiasm by Lochlann Hanson.
Everything is setup for failure but, against all odds ‘Springtime for Hitler’ is a major success leading to that prison sentence for Max and forcing Leo with Ulla to disappear to Rio, his conscience gets the better of him however and returns to face the music and join Max behind bars and produce a ‘jailhouse Musical’ with a successful future career beckoning (only Mr Brooks could write this stuff !).
An extensive ensemble cast create a myriad of other characters, some memorable moments include Daniel Morris’s powerful vocal as The Storm Trooper, Kate Dyer’s comically naughty Hold Me, Touch Me and Nicola Palfrey’s out of place Showgirl in the ‘I Wanna Be a Producer’ number, every character however adds something to the overall experience.
Veronica Walsh as Producer/Director, Sharyn Hastings as Choreographer and Stephen Powell as Musical Director have created an exceptional piece of entertainment, delivered by some talented performers and a consummate backstage team administered with great effect by Stage Manager, Tony Walsh.
You simply don’t want to be ‘that face’ who misses this show which only runs until Saturday 24th November 2019, so grab a ticket, you know you can do it.
Book Here
St Augustine's Musical Theatre Company bring their production of this musical to the stage at the Solihull Core Theatre with John Morrison as failed Broadway Producer, Max Bialystock an outstanding performance of pathos, comedy and more facial expression than you can shake a big stick at. Partnering with Richard Perks as meek accountant Leo Bloom, a skillful portrayal of a flawed character with plentiful dreams but, not quite sure how to make them a reality (my understanding is that Richard is suffering from an illness but, the standard of his stagecraft is such that you really wouldn’t know, he is the epitome of ‘the show must go on’).
Much depends on the interaction between these characters, the initial dominance of Max but, Leo gradually gaining more confidence and ultimately disappearing to Rio with the money and the girl while Max languishes in prison. Talking of girls the performance of the night (in so many ways) is Nicki Willetts as Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yansen Tallen Hallen Svaden Swanson, a big name and a larger than life portrayal, if you’ve got it, flaunt it and she does.
If you’re going to find a show that’s a sure fire flop, it will of course be written by a Hitler loving, Nazi pigeon fancier, an uber piece of character acting from Nick Salter as Franz Liebkind and directed by a completely ineffective cross-dressing Director, the ever excellent Mike Bentley as Roger de Bris alongside his common-law assistant Carmen Ghia played with unlimited enthusiasm by Lochlann Hanson.
Everything is setup for failure but, against all odds ‘Springtime for Hitler’ is a major success leading to that prison sentence for Max and forcing Leo with Ulla to disappear to Rio, his conscience gets the better of him however and returns to face the music and join Max behind bars and produce a ‘jailhouse Musical’ with a successful future career beckoning (only Mr Brooks could write this stuff !).
An extensive ensemble cast create a myriad of other characters, some memorable moments include Daniel Morris’s powerful vocal as The Storm Trooper, Kate Dyer’s comically naughty Hold Me, Touch Me and Nicola Palfrey’s out of place Showgirl in the ‘I Wanna Be a Producer’ number, every character however adds something to the overall experience.
Veronica Walsh as Producer/Director, Sharyn Hastings as Choreographer and Stephen Powell as Musical Director have created an exceptional piece of entertainment, delivered by some talented performers and a consummate backstage team administered with great effect by Stage Manager, Tony Walsh.
You simply don’t want to be ‘that face’ who misses this show which only runs until Saturday 24th November 2019, so grab a ticket, you know you can do it.
Book Here
Comments
Post a Comment