Musical Geek - Musical Theatre Reviews

You're setting yourself up for a big challenge by taking on one of the classics of musical theatre in the form of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' and KODS Youth Section give it there own exciting interpretation, enjoyed immensely by an enthusiastic opening night audience. Opening with a trio of Narrators consisting of powerful vocals from Lauren L'Enfant contrasting with the more lilting tones of Hope Dickenson and Alice Hickey, I was concerned that the split role wouldn't work but, they proved me wrong and interlinked together exceptionally to tell this story that surely everybody has experienced at some point (if they haven't they can't be a musical theatre fan). Oscar Yeoh grew into the role of Joseph, I detected a few nerves in the opening number but, these were soon eliminated to reveal a commanding portrayal of an iconic character including a winning rendition of 'Close Every Door'. Joseph of course has eleven brothers (although ...

Just when you think Central Park and the creepy abode of the Addams Family can't reappear anywhere else it pops up at the Core Theatre in Solihull with another super talented cast from Queensbridge Musical Theatre Society. Genuinely think that despite being head of the family, Paul Stait as Gomez Addams is somewhat scared of both his wife and his daughter, the change in pitch of his entertaining Spanish accent is the give away but, he still delivers his own level of scary (especially when armed with a sword) and some engaging vocals. I can fully understand anybody being frightened, possibly even petrified by Catherine Greenaway's imposing performance as Morticia Addams, there is a minor break in that steely gaze for a thoroughly audience pleasing performance of 'Death is Just Around the Corner' (definitely the sort of gig, I can really dig) but, don't cross her unless you want to see the inside of the crypt ! As far as daughter Wednesday Addams is concerned (bearing...

So I find myself back in Central Park (well Brierley Hill Civic Hall this time actually) and witnessing how this Addams Family cope with that love affair between young Wednesday and Lucas Beineke, because they're creepy, kooky and altogether ooky (is that a real word) it's never going to be easy and the cast from Quarry Bank Musical Theatre Society are particularly ooky, for which you should read 'insanely talented' so this is a production full to the brim with stupendous performances. Leading from the front are Tom Robinson as Gomez Addams and Sarah Coussens as Morticia Addams, consummately scary, comedic and gifted in equal measure with voices that frankly are obscenely powerful and controlled when required. Addams offspring are always going to be a bit 'special', I read the reviews as well as write them and I am now provoked to say something about Isabella Cook as Wednesday Addams that hasn't already been said, the superlative thesaurus is almost exhauste...