Musical Geek - Musical Theatre Reviews

I always like to quote a lyric, so 'let's hear it for the Rainbow Tour, it's been an incredible success' and I suspect there will be something very similar quoted about this production of Evita by Redditch Operatic Society, it's slick, it's moving and it's thoroughly well received by an enthusiastic audience at the Palace Theatre in Redditch. Lower class actress Eva Peron (played (now let me try and find the right word) quite exceptionally in every facet by Laura Woodall) fights her way to the top and spiritual leader in 1940s Argentina only to pass away before she can achieve everything she wants to. Taking us through the story is the narrational role of Che Guevara, Marxist revolutionary and not convinced by the whole 'she is the saviour of our nation' rhetoric, another stunning performance in every way from David Steele. Evita as Eva is lovingly known by the massed population of Buenos Aires is not averse to stepping on a few people to get what sh...

Continuing their productions of musicals that many other societies would simply not attempt, TFTR Productions pick one of the most complex in The Who's, Tommy, this will only be the third time I have seen it in over fifty years on the planet. I guess the reason it is rarely performed is the complicated storyline and the somewhat difficult themes, so let me try and explain in a few words (which is challenging in its own right) ! Pilot during the war and his wife have a child (Tommy), however pilot is taken as a prisoner of war but, presumed dead, she finds another lover only for her husband to return and shoot said 'lover'. Tommy is told to turn away but, witnesses shooting through a mirror and becomes ultimately traumatised (appearing deaf, dumb and blind). Many attempts are made to cure Tommy until mother smashes the mirror in a rage and he is released from his trauma. Tommy attempts to become a spiritual leader for his fans offering hospitality but, they turn on him (even...

If you've never seen Stephen Sodheim's 'fairy-tale mashup musical' Into the Woods, you really haven't lived or perhaps existed in some parallel literary universe might be a more appropriate observation. Creators Theatre Company are giving their audience the opportunity to immerse themselves in those stories and the outstanding music and lyrics of the late, great Stephen Sondheim. So what fairy-tale gems will you experience (under the narrator-ship and abounding energy (as the Mysterious Man) of Ian Page), you might ask and in no particular order I would begin with Cinderella (played with consummate characterisation by Chloe Rawson) abused by her step-mother (a scarily authentic performance by Penny Simpkins, frankly I prefer her as the voice of Cinderella's real mother she is much nicer but, that just proves the talents of the performer). Stepmothers of course come with their own daughters in this case the annoyingly incredulous Florinda (Ellen Tozer) and Lucind...

Due to my wonderful mother (sadly no longer with us) I was raised on a diet of Elvis Presley and Doris Day, so it is was particularly interesting to watch the Black Hills of Dakota taking root in Stourbridge Town Hall for Cradley Heath Amateur Operatic Society (CHAOS) and their production of Calamity Jane and it seriously felt like I was back in the 'Old West' in Deadwood City at the Golden Garter. Henry Miller (certainly a fizzy sarsaparilla of a comedy performance from J. Paul Murdock) and his neice Susan (played by Bek Millward) are struggling to find a star-turn for his establishment (the aforementioned 'Golden Garter') and the male dominated audience. He believes he has found an actress called Frances Fryer to calm the testosterone fuelled frenzy but, this is not Frances, it is Francis a talented actor but, certainly not the feminine charms expected although willing to don a dress and attempt to fool the locals (a talented all round performance from Adam Partridge)...