Thursday, September 22, 2016

THE GLEN MILLER STORY

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Bill Kenwright Productions)

A new musical of the story of big band music legend, Glen Miller, arrives at Malvern Theatres this week, as part of its nationwide tour. It is a perfectly simple telling of this swing icons rise to stardom and untimely disappearance during the Second World War.
Bill Kenwright produced and directed this excellent production and was also responsible for the very odd casting of 79 year old Tommy Steele in the eponymous role of a man who never made it past 40. There is no denying that Steele is a wonderful showman but it just doesn’t make any sense. Steele begins as narrator of the story, which is ideal and then starts playing Miller as a man in his late twenties, which is confusing at best and disturbing at worst. Miller’s romantic involvement with the love of his life, Helen, is a major part of the show and the scenes with the much younger performer were uncomfortable to watch and more reminiscent of Hugh Hefner than Glen Miller. Kenwright knows how to make money, without question, and it was clear that over half of the audience was made up of Tommy Steele fans, enthusing over his performance, and that equates to ticket sales. Without him, the show may well have closed by now but surely the script could have been adapted to use him in a more appropriate way. As it is, it is unclear whether this is the Glen Miller Story or the Tommy Steele Show.
Having said that, the show itself is top notch and deserving of much praise. The 16 piece orchestra, led by MD Richard Morris, is phenomenal, producing the most delicious sounds of a bygone age. Helen Tsingos visually recreates the era brilliantly with her costumes that add vibrancy to a very simple set design. Olivier Award winning, Bill Deamer, provides delightful choreography, expertly executed by six dancers, who provide superb, close part harmony throughout too. Ashley Knight plays Miller’s pal Chummy MacGregor with style and flair and Abigail Jaye is stunning as Miller’s muse and wife, Helen. The whole cast are amazing and handle the peculiar lead casting extremely well.
Fans of Tommy Steele will absolutely love this. Fans of swing and big band will adore this. Fans of musical theatre will most likely be too confused to know how they feel about it.
3 stars

Thursday, September 1, 2016

THE SHAKESPEARE REVUE

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Kenny Wax Ltd & Cambridge Arts Theatre)


To commemorate the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, The Shakespeare Revue is enjoying a welcome revival. Originally produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company back in 1994, this fresh, updated version is touring prior to a West End run and currently visiting Malvern Festival Theatre.
Lizzie Bea, Jordan Lee Davis, Alex Morgan, Alex Scott Fairley and Anna Stolli make up the dynamic cast with their talented Musical Director, Oli Jackson, accompanying them on piano. Each performer skilfully delivers a wonderful selection of Shakespearean inspired skits and songs from comedy icons Victoria Wood, Alan Bennett, Maureen Lipman, Monty Python, Noël Coward, Cole Porter, Fry & Laurie and musical theatre favourites, Stephen Sondheim and Stiles & Drewe.
The creative genius of Christopher Luscombe and Malcom McKee have devised a charming show with clever, funny and often touching scenes, slickly pieced to together and perfectly executed. You don’t have to have a broad knowledge of Shakespeare’s works to enjoy this revue as it is mostly centered around his more well known plays such as, Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, however, the greater your understanding of the bard of Stratford-upon-Avon, the funnier it will be. The revue format is very simple and focuses on the actors and the material, with no set and minimal lighting. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but it is definitely a joyous evening of quality entertainment.
The Shakespeare Revue runs until Saturday, before continuing on to Richmond, Brighton and Glasgow.