Musical Geek - Musical Theatre Reviews

In a world that is dominated by the 'modern musical', it is always nice to be able to witness one of the classics and they don't come any more loved than The Sound of Music by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein who could probably be defined as the inventors of the musical as we know it. Manor Musical Theatre Company have created a production that adheres to all that we remember and cherish about the story of the Von Trapp Family and the challenges of existing in Nazi occupied Austria during World War II. Pressure of performance for leading characters is nothing new but, there is so much riding on the portrayal of Maria Rainer that it needs an actor of some considerable capability and capacity which is exactly what Paula O'Hare brings to the performance, bags of enthusiasm and a voice of incredible quality. Richard Parry provides an equally formidable performance as Captain Von Trapp, the strong and initially foreboding type who runs his house like his ship (with a wh...

'Everything I touch is turning to gold' is a lyric from the Petula Clark classic 'Colour My World' which has become a bit of an anthem for this musical, the story of three drag queens crossing the Australian Outback in a coach (they christen Priscilla, hence the title). I suspect that the production team from Willenhall Musical Theatre Company, Alf Rai (Director), Lindsey Vickers (Choreographer) and Rob Murray (Musical Director) can now apply that phrase to themselves after an outstanding opening night at the Mill Theatre in Sedgley. Much of the success factor comes from some majestic casting and incredible on-stage presence in every scene, let's be serious for many of the performers it is hard enough to maintain a convincing Australian accent throughout the production without having to stay balanced on high heels for much of the time as well. James Totney opening the show as Miss Understanding also had to overcome a slightly belligerent curtain that for one moment ...

There is something really appealing about a show within a show, it gets to the heart of what performance is all about and opens the curtains on the creation process, warts and all. Pretty Lady isn't a musical that many would be aware of (it isn't 'Pretty Woman' by the way, that's a totally different story) but, there are few that can't be aware of the powerhouse song and dance spectacular that is 42nd Street. Studley Operatic Society have assembled an equally powerful company to bring their production to the stage at The Palace Theatre in Redditch. Let me depart from the norm here and mention some names that probably wouldn't be included in a review, Barbara Camelford, Carole Corden, Val Dallaway, Alison Ellis and Hannah Johnson as Dressers and Elaine Lawrence, Doreen Owen and Jacqueline Perry covering Costumes. There is an insane amount of costume change in this production and without this team it simply wouldn't work as seamlessly as it does. When it c...