Musical Geek - Musical Theatre Reviews

In the auspicious surroundings of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall there is yet another classic taking to the stage in the form of Lionel Bart's, Oliver! I suspect this story will never lose appeal and will continue to entertain audiences long after I have hung-up my keyboard and stopped writing reviews. Manor Musical Theatre Company have filled the stage with a remarkable entertainment marvel as young orphan Oliver Twist, treated badly at the workhouse, sold to an undertaker, runs away and joins a thieves kitchen and is eventually reunited with his grandfather, proving that good will come in the end to those that deserve it. Young Twist on this occasion is played by Jack Brayley-Boddington and is the epitome of scared young orphan with that perfect boy soprano voice needed to create an engaged silence during his performance of 'Where Is Love ?'. On the opposite side of the coin is an ebullient performance from Jamie Wilson as The Artful Dodger commanding the stage as he le...

It's always amazing how The Sound Of Music by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein continues to stand the test of time over sixty years after it first hit Broadway in 1959. It is just one of those musicals with a touching story, some iconic characters and musical numbers that will never be forgotten. I often use the quote from WC Fields, 'Never work with animals or children' in my reviews and some adults choose to appear on stage with both, in this case it is only the children element but, what a set of Von Trapp youngsters they were. I challenge any audience member who gets to witness the Bluebell Team (sadly I will not get to see the Snowdrop Team but, I am sure they will be equally endearing) to not leave the auditorium with a dose of smile-itis, in particular the girls, Larna Richards (Louisa), Giovanni Cutts (Brigitta), Maria Riga (Marta) and the uber smiley Georgia Riga (Gretl), the boys, Billy Brooks (Friedrich) and Myles Richards (Kurt) are a little more reserved bu...

If you are an aficionado of 'We Will Rock You' the Queen Musical, you might need to take a few moments to digest how this version has been specifically abridged and changed for Youth Groups, I am still not sure why Wembley Stadium needs to be changed to Graceland or the Heartbreak Hotel needs to become the Hard Rock Cafe but, fortunately it doesn't detract particularly from the core story and frankly anything that allows a cast (particularly one with this talent and enthusiasm) to belt out classic numbers from Mercury, May, Taylor and Deacon has to be a good thing. So for those less familiar with this musical, we are in the future, on the iPlanet and 'rock music' has been banned, the only legal music is that created by the ruling authorities, known as GlobalSoft, that which could be described as Computer Recorded Autotuned Pop (work that one out for yourself). An aging hippy and leader of 'The Bohemians' by the name of Buddy Holly and played with some intens...

Always a joy to review one of the classics of musical theatre and after the eponymous journey along the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City in the company of a talented and enthusiastic cast from Brierley Hill Musical Theatre Company, one can't fail to leave the venue inspired that good will triumph over evil and there really is 'no place like home'. I have no option but, to open with a comment about Toto, if you are expecting a Cairn Terrier a la the movie you might be disappointed but, that will last a mere trice before you are under the spell of George the Spaniel ! I have seen many a dog on stage and to be honest they are mostly looking for the quickest route into the wings, George however seemed very comfortable being part of the cast and you can't ask for more than that from your canine star. So what about the human cast I hear you say well fortunately they are not to be overshadowed (too much) by George and are led by a stellar performance from Connor Wilson as...

If when you hear the title 'Dogfight' you immediately think of 'The Red Baron' or Spitfires in WWII you might be in for an education when watching the latest production from Obsidian Theatrical Productions. Written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, you might call this their early groundwork before going on to have a hand in such beasts as 'Dear Evan Hansen' and 'The Greatest Showman'. So this 'Dogfight' doesn't refer to air battles over the sea but, instead is a challenge laid down by a group of US Marines to see which one can bring the ugliest girl to a party. Doesn't say much for their respect for the female of the species but, probably highlights the fear they have for the battle ahead and how they will do almost anything to take their mind off impending doom, particularly since we all know what was to play out in the Vietnam War. At the centre of the story are three characters who are all dealing with that fear in different ways, Eddie B...