Musical Geek - Musical Theatre Reviews

Well I have seen a few musical productions in my time and have been inspired to write some elaborate and auspicious words by many but, I am a little concerned that I might not have all the right observations to do justice to what can only be described as a truly breathtaking production of 'Cats' by Vic's School of Musical Theatre (the Vic in question being Vicky Addis, somebody who whilst being blessed with some talented youngsters to theatrically mould, obviously knows how to turn potential into reality on stage). Just to fill the gap if you haven't had the 'Cats' experience yet, basically poems by T.S. Eliot set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, a theatre filler since the 1980s and will undoubtedly fill the Parish Rooms at Blakedown in this case, for its sadly all too short run. So, where do I start with a plethora of engaging and characterful performances, perhaps with the captivating portrayal of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser by Kate Downes and Molly Cooper, a

There is something still very emotional about the story of Tevye and his family in Anatevka and something surprisingly current considering what is happening at this time in Ukraine all empathetically portrayed by Manor Musical Theatre Company at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, you could almost imagine you were there in reality. Tam Weir is an outstanding Tevye building an instant rapport with the audience and maintaining that connection throughout along with his role as narrator and storyteller. He is ably supported by a large female family contingent led by a dominant yet caring performance from Paula O'Hare as Golde his wife. Large families are obviously the order of the day and there are five daughters to account for here, eldest Tzeitel played with controlled passion by Sasha Marsh. Almost forced into marriage with aging (and wealthy) butcher Lazar Wolf (a potent portrayal from Richard Parry) before convincing her father to break with 'tradition' and allow her to give into

Always a pleasure to review one of the classic musicals and Lerner & Loewe's 'My Fair Lady' definitely fits in that bracket, classically brought to the stage by Carpet Trades Musical Theatre Company under the direction of Jill Parmenter, musical direction by Russell Painter and choreography by Emily Hamer. If you've never seen 'My Fair Lady', firstly where have you been for that last umpteen years but, for the young and the 'young at heart' let me explain ..... Common flower seller, Eliza Doolittle (a performance worthy of the Julie Andrews seal of approval in all facets from Molly Parmenter) is plying her trade in Covent Garden when she is noticed by phonetics expert Professor Henry Higgins (obviously enjoying the challenge of this role and living-up to it in every way by Reece Jones) by coincidence expert in Indian dialects Colonel Hugh Pickering is in the same vicinity (a forthright and characterful performance from Scott Denton). Before they can

Contrary to popular belief 'The Full Monty' is not a musical purely about unfit, out-of-work and frankly very ordinary blokes getting their kit off to regain some self esteem. That is obviously a key piece of the complex jigsaw puzzle of a story but, it is as much about relationships and has a deep vein of misunderstanding running through it. Buffalo steelworkers find themselves unemployed and emotions run high as they try to reclaim some perceived lost masculinity, had they of course listened to their partners they would very soon realise that they have lost nothing other than their job, any other losses are purely in their mind but, highlighting how important employment is in the (particularly) male psyche. Jerry Lukowski (a bundle of pent up anger with imposing stage presence from Andy Skyrme) has already lost his partner (the stalwart and strangely forgiving Pam, played by Katie Pullinger) but, is desperate to avoid loss of his son Nathan (an energetic and buoyant portrayal