Our House (Kidderminster Operatic & Dramatic Society)

There's a small slice of Camden Town suddenly appeared in the West Midlands in the form of the Our House Musical (based on the songs of Madness) currently resident at The Rose Theatre in Kidderminster and performed with gusto by Kidderminster Operatic & Dramatic Society.

It's difficult not to be overwhelmed by the energy that the cast put into telling the conflicting story of Joe Casey and his response to that simple equation of making the wrong or right decision. Some creative direction from Hollie Christian-Brookes and energetic choreography from Hannah Kearns make this a supremely entertaining production to experience, add Chris Passey's authentic interpretation of the classic Madness tunes and you really have a feast of entertainment.

Jack Simpson delivers a splendid and soulful portrayal of Joe Casey, both good and bad incarnations, seamlessly slipping from one character to another with the assistance of the occasional cast double and a personal dresser in the form of Scott Denton who must have been kept unstintingly busy throughout the performance.

Love interest Sarah, played stylishly by Lucy Passey is the steadying influence that eventually brings the good side of Joe to the surface despite her obvious attraction to his darker elements, her rendition of NW5 was simply sublime.

Picking up the award for entertainment value must be Josh Dibble (Emmo) and Elliot Bowden (Lewis) best friends of Joe and probably as laddish and comic as it is possible to be, always good for a laugh and torn between the different personas of Joe.

Much drier comic value comes from Sarah's best friends Billie and Angie, played with sharp wit by Claire Rutland and Molly Parmenter respectively, the slightly caustic interaction between these characters and Emmo/Lewis is probably some of the funniest I have witnessed.

Stalwart performances from Jill Parmenter as Joe's resilient and loving mother Kath Casey and Julian Richards as Joe's deceased father, watching over him and feeling the result of every decision he makes but, without being able to intervene.

Of course there always has to be a 'bad guy' character that is designed to lead astray and that comes in the form of Reecey, played by Tom Paine with just enough attitude and bravado. It's also fair to say the Darren Richards as construction tycoon Mr Pressman is almost equally shady, particularly when trying to evict Kath.


Definitely a totally enjoyable night of entertainment supported by an enthusiastic ensemble cast, frankly how can you go wrong with that and a score of Madness Hits, so head off 'on the wings of a dove' and get your tickets while you can before the run finishes on Saturday 14th March 2020.

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