Musical Geek - Musical Theatre Reviews

Probably the most classic of musicals, Oklahoma by Rodgers & Hammerstein just never stops packing the audiences in, there is no doubt that it has stood the test of time and continues to do so with this performance by SOSage Factory (a nice play on words) the youth arm of Solihull Operatic Society and currently running at The Core Theatre in Solihull. From the opening line of 'There's a bright golden haze on the meadow (pronounced with a southern drawl as 'meddar')' lustily projected from off-stage by Charlie Loughran as Curly, I know I'm in for a treat. Charlie plays the part with ease, bursting into song at will whenever required, had he been around in 1955 when they were casting the movie, Gordon MacRae may never have been given the part. Anna Sutton as Laurey matches her love interest for voice and stage presence, particularly accentuating the mischievous yet vulnerable aspects of the character delightfully. Dan Bradbury is a vociferous and enter...

If you’re in the West Midlands and looking for some outright pantomime fun, you won’t be able to do much better than Stourbridge Pantomime Company, currently performing at Stourbridge Town Hall with their production of something a little less traditional but, equally if not more entertaining, that being Beauty and the Beast. If you’re expecting an array of eating, drinking and cooking utensils parading around to the sounds of ‘Be Our Guest’, you’ll be disappointed but, you will get something much more flamboyant and engaging. Richly colourful costumes, some stunning dance numbers choreographed by Amy Williams, singalong songs (including a terrific Gloria Estefan medley) from George Stuart and his musicians, an authentic set adorning scene after scene from Margaret Taylor and her stage management team all expertly moulded into an unforgettable night of entertainment by Steve Humpherson, simply something you don’t want to miss. In the title roles Sophie Ruddick has almost dropped str...

I suspect that the enigma that is Bob Fosse spends a lot of time looking down from above on performances of productions with which he will be eternally linked, however he won't always be able to think to himself, 'that's exactly how I wanted it to be'. Ben Cole as Director/Choreographer, Ian Room as Musical Director and James Maddison as Assistant Musical Director will I am sure have made him (and John Kander/Fred Ebb) think exactly that as right from Adam Partridge's opening speech quoting murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery ,  the audience is entertained and enlightened with the seamier side of life in 1920's Chicago. This production is packed full of intense and incredible performances from both principals and ensemble cast, Claire Flavell's powerhouse Velma Kelly never reduces in intensity from the classic 'And All That Jazz' right through to my own personal favourite number 'Nowadays' and is matche...

Panto has hit Kinver with traditional exuberance as a gloriously entertaining team take the audience to Hardup Hall in the village of Stoney Broke for a night of song, dance and comedy shenanigans, created with some swagger by Sam Houlston (Director) and Nina Best (Musical Director). Emma Davies is a delightfully innocent Cinderella around which the story revolves, protected by Ray Howell as her upright father Baron Hardup until he mistakenly gets hitched to money-pursuing Cathy Moreton, an entertainingly comic performance as the Baroness. Sadly a consequence of this liaison are two further daughters, the grotesquely ugly yet stunningly hilarious Gertrude and Grizelda, barnstorming performances from Brian Ashmead-Siers and Claire Jackson who take advantage of Cinders and considerable vocal exchanges with an enthusiastic audience. Trying desperately to pursue Cinders despite her distinct lack of reciprocal feelings, Ricky Dowell is a completely engaging Buttons building a touching...

What is now a regular fund-raising effort for the Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge this is a special production in so many ways and a talented team that bring another pantomime to the stage at Stourbridge Town Hall. After Wizard of Oz and Cinderella this year audiences are treated to the classic Aladdin created and performed by an outlandishly talented team that could easily be gracing the stage at much bigger and prestigious venues. Will Phipps as Director, James Totney as Choreographer and Rob Murray as Musical Director have conjured up a piece of entertainment that has everything and cannot fail to send an audience home feeling exhilarated and full of cheer. Will and James not happy with roles as part of the creative team have also decided to perform as Wishee Washee and Aladdin, Will is a born comedian and audience pleaser, his ability to keep a scene moving and react to any eventuality is second to none, James is more of the character player and movement coordinator, his skil...

The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his journey from miserly old curmudgeon to enlightened lover of Christmas comes in many guises, this particular version with musical score by one of the great musical composers, Alan Menken is certainly gaining in popularity and takes full benefit of all the sentiments within Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Vitally important in any interpretation is casting of the Scrooge role, get this right and you will probably have a hit on your hands otherwise and despite the endeavours of the other performers, you could be looking at something as dead as Jacob Marley. Fortunately Stephen Duckham as Director has enlisted the services of Alistair Jolliffe in the lead role and the first glimpse of his characterisation on the opening night at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham makes the whole audience realise that this is going to be a truly impressive production. Scene after scene of Christmas Joy (delivered incredibly by Stage Manager, Thomas Jevons and his...

It’s always amazing the sheer volume of talent on the amateur musical theatre scene in the Midlands, I could be reviewing every night of the week and still not manage to see everything and it therefore comes down to taking a punt based on the shows I particularly like and anything from Stephen Sondheim is firmly at the top of the list. Leicester Theatre Group’s production of Sweeney Todd is finely tuned, incredibly performed and stunningly atmospheric, opening with a stage containing a solitary pie (probably filled with a little priest !) and culminating with a complete cast taking a rapturous curtain call, absolutely deserved across the board. George Pavey is an incredibly measured Todd, it isn’t about gratuitously accentuating the killing and the blood, it’s about calculating revenge and had he been able to dispense with the Judge at the first attempt it could have been a completely different story, suffice to say simply top class acting. Summer Garrett as Mrs Lovett matches her ...