ANNIE GET YOUR GUN

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Ambassador Theatre Group & Tulchin/Bartner Productions)

Irving Berlin’s classic musical, Annie Get Your Gun, is enjoying a refreshingly brilliant revival with an inspired rewrite by Peter Stone. Starring the suave Jason Donovan as the chauvinistic, Frank Butler, the story is set in the famous Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show of the 1800’s and explores the rise of the real life ‘sharp shooter’ Annie Oakley, who became a world wide sensation.

The entire show takes place inside Paul Farnsworth’s stunningly designed ‘Big Top’ that magnificently sweeps into place creating an ideal setting to stage the tale of love, ambition, stardom, jealousy and heartbreak. Norman Pace is perfect as the iconic show owner, Buffalo Bill, as is William Oxborrow as Charlie Davenport, his right-hand man, as they tackle the trials and tribulations of working in show business. Kara Lane is a tour de force in her role as the show’s diva, Dolly Tate, a seemingly suitable match for Donovan’s character, while Lorna Want is adorable as her lovelorn little sister, Winnie who is desperately in love with the equally sweet, Tommy charmingly played by Yiftach Mizrahi. The star of the show is, without question, the immensely charismatic, Emma Williams in the title role. The energy on stage instantly lifts with her arrival as the illiterate, gun-wielding, tomboy who falls in love with the same man she unwittingly humiliates when she beats him in a public shooting match, resulting in a love fuelled rivalry that is settled in a rematch with an unexpected, rewritten conclusion.

Lizzie Gee’s choreography is fresh, stylistic, authentic, enchanting and beautifully executed by the wonderful ensemble, adorned in Karen Large’s truly, magnificent costumes. Director, Ian Talbot, does a superb job of redirecting an old musical and making it much more palatable for today’s audiences with notable contributions from Stephen Ridley and Dan Delange with their orchestral arrangements.

This production is breathtaking and will go down a storm in the West End and is more than deserving of a transfer. Annie Get Your Gun runs at Malvern Festival Theatre until Saturday, when Jonathan Wilkes with be replacing Jason Donovan. Absolutely go and see it!

ANOTHER COUNTRY

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Chichester Festival Theatre, Fiery Angel & Royal Theatre Bath Productions)

Rob Callender as Bennett

Following a successful run in the West End, the revival of Julian Mitchell’s play, Another Country is now on tour. Inspired by the Oxbridge spy scandal that surfaced in the 1950’s, the writer explores what drives people to betray their country, believing that it is money, ideological conviction or revenge. Mitchell travels the road of revenge with this masterpiece, based on the fact that the 1930s public-school spies were all gay in a time, when it was commonly practiced but equally abhorred by many within the educational establishment, often with violent consequences if caught. The story utilises this as the fuel for the traitorous fire. His witty and eloquent script gives a wonderful platform for ten fresh-faced actors and one more seasoned professional. The film version launched the careers of Rupert Everett, Kenneth Branagh, Daniel Day Lewis and Colin Firth. So, as with the History Boys, I’ve certain this will facilitate the success of these current performers.

Although the first act clearly introduces us to the players in this game, it reaches the interval with a sense of unfulfillment with regards to the plot line. However, the second act brilliantly pieces together all of the elements of a great story, perfectly played out by a brilliant cast. This ensemble piece is headed by Rob Callender as the superbly risque, Bennet and Will Attenborough as the unwavering poltical activist, both ideal in their roles, as is everyone else, especially Bill Milner as 1st year ‘fag’ Wharton.

Director, Jeremy Herrin, presents a slick production with precision afforded to every detail, including the wonderfully choreographed scene changes. Peter McKintosh’s set design evokes the granduer and history of these uniquely British institutions, with incredibly clever mechanics that allow us to travel around the school.

Ultimately, this is a tale of non-conformists having to learn to survive in a conformist regime and surely, isnt that the best training ground for spies, when you musn’t be yourself and must never be caught doing anything perceived as wrong. With Royal Theatre Bath, Chichester Festival Theatre and Fiery Angel behind this production it is sure to succeed. Another Country is well worth seeing and runs at Malvern until Saturday.