DREAMBOATS AND MINISKIRTS

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Bill Kenwright Ltd & Laurie Mansfield)

Dreamboats and Miniskirts is the 60s sequel to the hugely popular Dreamboats and Petticoats musical. It continues the story of Bobby and Laura, as they struggle to produce another hit, following their initial recording success, at a time when music and the world is undergoing historic transformation, not unlike Norman and Sue who are preparing for the arrival of their first child.

Yet again, another talented bunch of actor musicians make up this ensemble cast, delivering wonderful renditions of classics such as Twist & Shout, Pretty Woman, Be My Baby, and many more. Due to a curious directorial decision to understudy a lead role with someone in another lead role, it meant that press night saw two understudies playing two lead characters. Despite Alan Howell and Will Tierney doing an excellent job in their respective understudy roles of Norman and Tony, it is unknown the effect that this had on the overall production that night. Unfortunately, there was an absence of chemistry between the leads Alex Beaumont as Bobby and Elizabeth Carter as Laura and they had a general lack of energy, which led me to think that something wasn’t right. Their vocals, however, were undeniably delicious and a joy to hear.

Writers, Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, managed to link a plethora of unconnected, 60s pop hits, throwing in a good dose of laugh-out-loud one liners, many of which were brilliantly delivered by Sheridan Lloyd as Andy. David Luke as Ray is a perfect match for Anna Campkin, returning to the part of Donna, who gives the most superb and captivating performance of Hello Stranger and I Only Want To Be With You. Without question, the star of the show is Louise Olley, also returning to her part as Sue. She oozes stage presence from ever pore and gives an utterly truthful and engaging performance throughout. She delivers her songs with effortless precision and musically enchants like a siren of the sea. This lady is a star!

Carole Todd’s staging of the musical numbers is a bit hit and miss. Some are beautifully choreographed and really add to the song and others look as if they were forgotten about. Sean Cavanagh’s set is simple but effective and vibrantly lit by Tim Oliver’s lighting design. Although there is scope for improvement with this production, it is still a thoroughly enjoyable night out. The music is timeless and a feast for the ears, particularly Josef Pitura-Riley’s impressive trumpet solos. Dreamboats and Miniskirts runs at Malvern Festival Theatre until Saturday and then continues on tour around the UK.

THE KITE RUNNER

Malvern Festival Theatre

(UK Productions & Flying Music / Flying Entertainment)

Andrei Costin & Ben Turner

The European premiere of The Kite Runner received a much-deserved standing ovation on its opening night at Malvern Festival Theatre, as it tours the UK. Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling novel, which achieved added acclaim as a movie in 2007, has been adapted for stage by Matthew Spangler to present the captivating and, at times, harrowing tale of two boys growing up in Afghanistan in the seventies and how events shape their lives in tragically unforeseen ways into adulthood. Their story spans nearly thirty years from just prior to the Russian occupation that resulted in civil war and continues well into the oppression of the Taliban regime, as the action moves from Afghanistan to Pakistan, America and back again.

Barney George’s simplistic set provides a beautifully adaptable kite sail that, coupled with William Simpson’s projection design, transports us around the world. Live sound is woven throughout the performance creating the most incredible atmosphere and, along with Jonathan Girling’s composition, encapsulates the very essence of the Middle Eastern culture.

This is an ensemble piece with many of the ten actors playing more than one role. All are excellent in their casting, in particular Emilio Doorgasingh as Baba and Andrei Costin as Hassan (and later Sohrab). Nicholas Karimi, is perfectly intimidating as the sociopath, Assef, whose scene in the second act is very uncomfortable to watch with recent news coverage of similar horrors. Without question though, Ben Turner is most impressive in his epic role as Amir, who is on stage for the duration of the show (nearly three hours) and consistently switches between storyteller and participant. He gives a truly awe inspiring performance!

This is a stunning production of a fantastic story and the time flies. It may well leave you emotionally exhausted but it is certainly to be experienced. The Kite Runner is an absolute must see that maintains the amazing standard set by last week’s To Kill A Mocking Bird.

5 Stars