Musical Geek - Musical Theatre Reviews

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 W...

This is the fourth review I've written for these productions, providing much needed funds for Mary Stevens Hospice an amazing charity providing vital services for those with incurable or life-limiting illnesses and every year they seem to surpass themselves on so many levels. This year we were taken off to Neverland by Peter Pan, you know the lad who never wants to grow-up (don't we all !) and played by local dynamo Charlie Bullock, bit of an all round stage star and obviously destined for success in the professional arts, pitted-up against star of X Factor and obviously more than just a stellar voice, Christopher Maloney as the nasty Captain Hook (somebody find me a crocodile). Talking of crocodiles and for that matter dogs as well, a big shout out for Ryan Standen as both the aforementioned reptilian and canine companion to the Darling Family, Nana. It was warm in the auditorium, I dread to think the temperature inside those costumes and how many pounds he must be losing acro...

Transport yourself on a magical journey to Sherwood Forest and that classic tale of good versus evil, the outlaw Robin Hood up against the Sheriff of Nottingham, you'll love it they said and they were absolutely right, in fact 'love' is probably an understatement I'd refer to it as spectacularly engaging entertainment of the highest calibre (special mention has to be given to the dancers, every single one, just phenomenal). If Robin Hood existed in the modern day it probably would be Tom Robinson, many a famous name has played this part but, few if any actually look and sound like they really were born to play it like he does (perhaps maybe Richard Greene from the 1950s if you can remember that far back but, he didn't sing). As for his nemesis, Adam Chester is despicably detestable (perhaps with just a hint of fragility that will prove to be his undoing) as the Sheriff of Nottingham and that chink in his armour will very likely be his henchman, Herman played with co...

If you've noticed some roadworks in downtown Brierley Hill, it's probably because they are making major renovations to Hardup Hall a temporary but, slightly dilapidated residence frequented by an array of comical characters bringing enjoyment to the locals as it's pantomime time again! To say this is a bit of a 'dance spectacular' is an understatement and the choreography from Sally Evans is something to behold as an extensive array of dancers 'strut their stuff' to some classic tunes including 'Let's Get Loud' from Jennifer Lopez, the Real Thing's 'You to Me are Everything' and a fine Spice Girls Medley all performed to the highest standard. Baron Henry Hardup (Martin Francis) having lost one wife obviously needs some tutorship in choosing the next one as Baroness Hermione Hardup is scary, Matthew Hickman's characterisation is enough to have the strongest dithering. Not only does he marry a distinctly unnerving wife but, he inher...

Yes it's Panto Time and a journey up the beanstalk with Jack to rescue the Princess, what could be more traditional as Star-Struck Theatre Company played to a packed house at the Dormston Theatre in Sedgley. Audience took a little warming-up but, this was completed in style by Richard Probert's ostentatious and strangely feminine Dame Madonna Trott (I was hoping for a chorus or two of 'Like A Virgin' but, sadly that wasn't forthcoming) and her 'one bean short of a beanstalk' son Simple Simon, a virtuoso comedy performance from Ashley Wilkes. At this point I simply have to mention the musicians, Rob Murray (Musical Director & Keyboards), Sunim Koria (Bass) and Dave Shipley (Drums), only three of them but, it sounded like thirty, you've heard of the 'Wall of Sound' this is bigger and better, fills the venue throughout the show. Anyway back to the on stage production and Dame Trott obviously has that other son Jack (Ethan Hamblett) who has falle...

I've seen more than my fair share of musical theatre and ridden that emotional rollercoaster on numerous occasions however, TFTR Productions have built their own theatrical 'white knuckle ride' of a production with Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's, Calendar Girls - The Musical and if you don't shed a tear or two you are probably in the wrong theatre. I guess the story about a Women's Institute in Yorkshire producing a nude calendar after the death of one of their husbands is well known but, it's the interwoven friendships and challenges before that happens that is at the core of this production, not to mention the 'Big C' which I imagine has sadly touched everybody at some point. There is of course a central friendship between Chris (an ebullient and vocally exceptional performance from Natalie Baggott) and Annie who has lost her husband to that terrible disease and played with a gold medal level of emotion and a captivating vocal by Sarah Coussens. It is...

Always a joyous trip to Duloc (is that an anagram of Cloud, I've often wondered?) isn't it and if you'd like to journey to that mythical land of ogres, donkeys and fairytale characters then you can do so by joining Redditch Operatic Society at the Palace Theatre for their production of Shrek the Musical. You will of course have to deal with he who is short on stature and large on ego in the form of Matt Bridgewater's characterful portrayal of Lord Farquaad, full of an evil cackle (although perhaps a little more like a giggle) and a deluded belief that any princess might want to marry him. There is a princess of course, Fiona by name, beauty by day, cursed ogre by night, played with abandon and in the words of Patsy Cline a little 'crazy' in many ways but, with a vocal to 'charm the savage beast' by Sophie Hill. Locked in a tower and guarded by a Dragon, very much a cameo role but, I have to confess with an amazing song to sing and does Lucy Traves sing i...