The Wedding Singer (Kidderminster Operatic & Dramatic Society)

There is something about the 80s that you might not get if you didn't live through the decade, so instead why not head-off down to The Rose Theatre in Kidderminster and enjoy a night of stunning entertainment in the form of KODS production of The Wedding Singer, you might remember the movie with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore but, live theatre is always better and this is no exception.

Robbie Hart is the singer in a band that plays predominantly at weddings, he thinks he has his life on-track but, he's about to think differently, Josh Dibble is truly remarkable in this role, not only a great rock voice but, guitar player to boot. At his own wedding he is jilted at the last minute by bride-to-be Linda (a raunchy performance leaving little to the imagination from Claire Rutland).

Spiralling into depression he falls for waitress Julia Sullivan a picture perfect portrayal with a liltingly engaging voice from Emily Hamer but, sadly she is already engaged to Glen Guglia, trader on Wall Street and all round annoying and unlikeable guy with far too high an opinion of himself, played just annoyingly enough by Jakes Jones. Julia can't marry Glen can she ? She is way too good for him and after all that would make her married name Julia Guglia !!!

After a particularly embarrassing performance at his latest wedding (abusing the bride and groom amongst many other inappropriate things) Robbie hides in a dumpster licking his wounds and is only encouraged out by Julia. Everything is going in the right direction but, a little encouragement is needed to get 'over the line' and that comes from friends and family, not least of all (and probably the performance of the night) his rather unseemly grandma Rosie, a barnstormer of a depiction from Melanie Jones, everybody should have at least one grandparent like this.

Of course if you are in a band, your fellow musicians will always be there to help out, in this case they are in the form of the somewhat overconfident (with the ladies) bass player Sammy, a rock-star performance from Reece Jones and gay keyboard player George, very much the glue that holds the band together and played with presence and confidence by Tom Paine. Have to be honest I wasn't certain whether they were playing their own instruments (a la Robbie) but, if they weren't they are very accomplished in the art of mime.

While Robbie continues to manage his emotions, Sammy is still chasing his previous 'main squeeze' Holly, who happens to also be a friend of Julia and is played outstandingly by Joanna Tompkins with a voice of ultimate power, particularly in the Act I finale number 'Saturday Night in the City', she also has a fine delivery of put-downs, in response to being asked by Sammy if he could buy her a drink, she responds 'They're Free Jackass !', three words that would put anybody in their place.

Don't worry Julia gives Glen the elbow and marries Robbie (even after Linda makes an attempt to get her claws into him again) so all ends as of course it should do.

If you are looking for a great night out with amazing performances and incredible music (care of Chris Passey and his band, including presumably because Brian May wasn't available, another 'Hairy God of Rock' that being ace guitarist Chris Inston) then this is definitely the show for you.

Directed with style by Melanie Brown and Choreographed with flair by Hannah Kearns, don't miss it as there only three performances left !

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