JACKIE THE MUSICAL

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Gardyne Theatre & Arden Entertainment in association with DC Thomson & Co Ltd)

Janet Dibley as Jackie

Never have I seen so many confident, beautiful, middle-aged women in Malvern Theatres at one time. This substantial number of empowered individuals was testimony to the influence of one magazine for a generation in the 1970s. Jackie The Musical is the most wonderful tribute to an era that seems so far removed from the world we live in today. The two hour immersion in seventies nostalgia is as joyous as it is delightfully familiar. With a soundtrack as vibrant as the fabric patterns, it is a truly indulgent trip down memory lane. The pre-show buzz in the foyer was electric and the show did not disappoint.

The story centres around 54 year old, divorcee, Jackie, who discovers her stash of Jackie magazines while packing up the once family home. Thrust back into the dating game, she is joined by her younger self, who supports and guides her with the quizzes, fashion tips, first date etiquette and problem page advice, steadfastly provided in her teenage years by the weekly publication. However, life has moved on and the world isn’t as it used to be. A teenage son, ex-husband, online dating, texting and comforting mix of Prosecco and sticky toffee pudding present Jackie with dilemmas that even Cathy and Claire would struggle to cope with.

This musical is the perfect example of what can be achieved when the right creative team collaborate on a project. Mike James provides a brilliant script, one that far surpasses the likes of similar shows, such as Mamma Mia. It is beautifully crafted and very, very clever in how it merges the two eras and handles the gender stereotypes, subtly challenging it at the same time as playing up to it. Anna Linstrum’s direction adds another level of magic to the writing in development of character, storytelling, stage business and direction. She clearly understands stagecraft, which is a rarity among directors nowadays. Add to this, choreography by the queen of disco, Arlene Phillips, with Jim Shortall’s stunning set design and gorgeous costumes and the production is a hit. Musical director, Dan De Cruz, and his awesome band provide the cherry on the top of an impressive, glitter ball shaped cake.

Daisy Steere as Young Jackie

Hats off to someone who doesn’t often get a mention in reviews, if ever, casting director, Debbie O’Brien. The casting for this show is excellent, with every single performer bringing something unique to the overall presentation. Everyone’s energy, focus and commitment from the swings to the principals are spot on, without exception. The performances are slick, polished and delivered with amazing vitality and enthusiasm throughout both acts. Jackie The Musical is fully deserving of the many accolades it is receiving and is an absolute must see. An unquestionably triumphant 5 star celebration of all that was great about Jackie and the seventies!

5 stars

AFTER MISS JULIE

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Theatre Royal Bath Productions)

Helen George as Miss Julie

Star of BBC’s Call The Midwife and Strictly Come Dancing, Helen George, is disturbingly brilliant in the eponymous role of Patrick Marber’s play After Miss Julie. A life of privilege has left Miss Julie bereft of any sense of self, as she struggles for identity in a time of huge social change at the end of the 2^nd World War. A juxtaposed product of her father’s thoughts and her mother’s feelings, she is confused and desperate to be loved. On a night of celebration for the Labour landslide victory, she focuses her attentions on the self-assured chauffeur. A class driven power struggle ensues with an innocent third party getting caught in the crossfire.  At its heart, this is a story of volatile co-dependency fuelled by fear, insecurity and desire for recognition.

Marber’s script is disjointed and requires immense emotional dexterity from the three actors. George absolutely nails it, as the aristocratic ticking time bomb, Miss Julie. Equally impressive is Amy Cudden’s performance as the devoted Christine and although Richard Flood, as her intended, John, doesn’t quiet convince in his more tender moments, his arrogance and anger are spot on. On the whole, Anthony Banks’ direction is good but there are times that the dialogue and action lack the right intention. Some of the staging is ineffective too, in particular the stage slaps, which are poorly masked and don’t have the desired impact, despite the actors delivering them perfectly. Colin Richmond has produced the most stunning set, which is magically transformed over the course of the action with Philip Gladwell’s inspired lighting design.

This one act play is a real emotional rollercoaster and is captivating as the subject matter is uncomfortable. This is definitely one to see and runs at Malvern Theatres until Saturday before continuing the last leg of the tour in Brighton, Richmond and Milton Keynes.

4 stars

ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Malvern Festival Theatre

(The Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd)

Richard O’Brien’s cult classic, Rocky Horror Show, makes a triumphant return to Malvern Festival Theatre, judging by the packed house on opening night. The show recently celebrated its 40^th Anniversary with a special West End performance, screened live in cinemas across the country, and is now on a national tour, to the titillation of cross dressing fans everywhere.

Kay Murphy opens this science fiction, double feature and captivates from the get go. Her vocal ability as Usherette is as impressive as her physical agility as Magenta. Emmerdale’s, Ben Freeman, and X Factor’s, Diana Vickers, are perfect as the naïve and, oh so, impressionable, Brad and Janet, who are on a night out that they will remember for a very, very long time. Comedian, Steve Punt, brings welcome decorum to proceedings as Narrator, handling the audience contributions to the script with aplomb. Kristian Lavercombe is one of six cast members who were in the televised West End special and deservedly so with his incredibly powerful voice and characterisation as Riff Raff. Joining him, is the equally talented Sophie Linder-Lee with her dynamite performance of Columbia and the image of physical perfection, Dominic Anderson, as Rocky. Making his musical theatre debut, since being in S Club 7, Paul Cattermole is great in the dual roles of Eddie and Dr Scott, with Ben Kerr, Will Knights, Hannah Malekzad and Lauren Ingram making up the wonderfully freaky ensemble. In the lead role of Frank-N-Furter, is the beautiful and super talented, Liam Tamne, whose portrayal equals that of the previous owners of those iconic stilettos, Tim Curry and David Bedella.

Director, Christopher Luscombe, and choreographer, Nathan M Wright, have created a superbly slick and entertaining production, brilliantly enhanced by Hugh Durrant’s set deisgn and Nick Richings vibrant lighting design. The show would have a fraction of the impact, however, without Ben Van Tienen’s musical direction and immensely gifted band.

If you have been fortunate enough to get tickets to see this show, you are in for an outrageous night of delightful debauchery. Not for prudes and the easily offended, thank goodness!

5 stars

SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Bill Kenwright Productions)

Creators of the hit show ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ return to Malvern Theatres with their other jukebox musical ‘Save The Last Dance For Me’ showcasing the works of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. Timeless classics such as Viva Las Vegas, Sweets For My Sweet, Teenager In Love, And Then He Kissed Me, Please Mr Postman and Tell Her are interwoven into a charming love story set on an American Air Force base in ‘sunny’ Lowestoft in the early sixties. Free from their parents, two sisters escape Luton, heading off to the seaside, finding love and romance in unexpected places.

The romantic lead, Curtis, is taken by James Denton and although he doesn’t seem comfortable playing the love struck GI, he really comes into his own when he serenades the focus of his affections, Marie, reprised by Elizabeth Carter who is delightfully innocent and naïve, with the voice of an angel. X factor contestant, Lola Saunders, is great as Marie’s feisty, older sister, Jennifer, proving her competence as a comedic actress and dancer, as well as vocalist. Star of the pop band Blue, Antony Costa, revels in the part of Milton, with a very convincing New York accent and secure vocals. Sackie Osakonor’s muscular stature, as Rufus, is as impressive as his vocals and highlighted the interesting choice of the casting director to cast overweight men in the role of American servicemen. Audience members were discussing the male physiques during the interval and carrying extra weight in a role where the characters are supposed to be at peak physical fitness is something that the performing arts industry would absolutely not accept from female performers auditioning. It’s important that casting should reflect society and present a variety of body shapes and sizes, however, casting has to be appropriate to each specific role to make it believable and it is part of the actor’s job to then stay in shape. The women clearly recognise the importance of that.

Rachel Nottingham and Kieran Kuypers deliver great performances as Marie and Jennier’s, long suffering parents and Anna Campkin is brilliant as Doris from Leeds. Musical talent oozes from every pore of the immensely gifted cast of actor musicians, who make up the Forces’ band. The rest of the supporting cast deliver slick performances throughout, maintaining the energy and enthusiasm required for such a show.

Bill Deamer’s choreography is bright and cheery and despite being a little repetitive it caters perfectly for the varying dance ability of the cast making everyone look good. Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran write simple, but effective dialogue that keeps the story moving along at a pace and Mark Bailey’s set and costume design perfectly compliment the era and vibrancy of the time.

Save The Last Dance For Me is an entertaining and enjoyable night out with a sweet storyline and wonderful, live music.

4 stars

END OF THE RAINBOW

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Paul Taylor Mills & Mercury Theatre in association with the Belgrade Theatre)

Lisa Maxwell as Judy Garland

Lisa Maxwell gives the performance of a lifetime with her tribute to Judy Garland in the wonderfully captivating End Of The Rainbow. Better known for her nine year stint in The Bill and being a regular favourite on the lunchtime magazine show Loose Women, Maxwell astounds with the most incredible interpretation of Hollywood’s movie-musical legend. Her visual, physical and vocal mimicry is breathtaking as she gives us an insight into the tragic personality of this gay icon, battling with drug addiction and alcoholism and the resulting crippling anxieties.

The story takes place in London at the start of a ‘comeback’ tour in 1968, only months before her untimely passing, with the action switching between her hotel suite and The Talk of the Town cabaret club. Her young, new manager, and soon-to-be fifth husband, Mickey Deans, strives to help Garland overcome her demons and rebuild her career, which lies in tatters, as she faces financial ruin. He is aided by the songstress’ accompanist, Anthony Chapman, whose love for Garland runs deep, fuelling his attempt to save her from herself and the impending marriage.

Sam Attwater’s impressive stature, as the fiancé, dwarfs the delicate frame of the silver-screen star, juxtaposing her fragility with her strength and resilience. Gary Wilmot is absolutely perfect as Garland’s pianist and silent rescuer. His solid stillness and witty repartee are a constant in the crazy dichotomies of show business. The final member of the players is Simon Pontin, who is great in his various cameos.

Brilliantly directed by Daniel Buckroyd, the star of the show has to be Peter Quilter’s script, which is a superb mix of pathos, comedy and music. The dialogue is engaging throughout and despite the sadness of the situation, the storytelling remains energised and ever hopeful, cleverly challenging our opinions of each character as they struggle to cope on their collective journey.

I have heard that the tour has been cut short, due to poor ticket sales. This is criminal for such a worthy production. It is, without doubt, one of the best shows I have seen for a very long time. End Of The Rainbow is engaging, powerful and funny. It is as deserving of packed houses as Lisa Maxwell was of the standing ovation she justly received. This is live theatre at it’s absolute best!

5 Stars

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Malvern Festival Theatre

(Bill Kenwright Productions)

Lucy O'Byrne as Maria

The Malvern Hills are gloriously alive with the Sound of Music this week, as this iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, that has become synonymous with a great British Christmas, plays to packed houses at the Festival Theatre.

This family favourite is enjoying a five star revival, touring the country and receiving standing ovations. Director, Martin Connor, demonstrates his expertise through his clear vision, beautiful stagecraft and wonderful casting. It’s so refreshing to witness skilled direction on stage, a seemingly lost art these days. Olivier Award winning choreographer, Bill Deamer, adds to the magic of this musical with his eloquent interpretation of the delightful score, brought to life by Musical Director, David Steadman, and his talented musicians. Liesl (Annie Holland) and Rolf’s (Kane Verrall) dance, in Sixteen Going On Seventeen, is an exquisite blend of traditional folk dance and ballroom and the perfect example of Deamer’s genius and beautifully performed. Gary McGann has designed the most impressive set, transforming a simple stage into truly magnificent settings. It is a wonder how everything fitted into the theatre.

Making her musical debut is the immensely gifted, Lucy O’Byrne, a recent finalist on BBC’s The Voice. Her interpretation of Maria is enchanting and engaging and she makes this epic role look effortless. Gray O’Brien makes a dashing Captain von Trapp and, although his physicality lacked the assuredness and stillness more suited to his character, he is very charming. Isla Carter brings an exciting new energy to the prim, Frau Schraeder and Duncan Smith is hilarious as the theatrical, Max Detweiler. Jan Hartley is a loveable Mother Abbess with almost supernatural power vocals. The von Trapp children all excel in the individual roles and the supporting cast are brilliant in their various guises, in particular Pippa Winslow as the housekeeper, Frau Schmidt.

This is a superb production of a timeless classic and worthy of the highest praise. A Sound of Music runs at Malvern Festival Theatre until Saturday. Go and see it!

5 Stars

PETER PAN

Malvern Festival Theatre

(UK Productions)

UK Productions makes a welcome return to Malvern this yuletide with their wonderful adaptation of the children’s classic, Peter Pan. I tend to gauge the success of a pantomime on the engagement of the younger members of the audience and based on the response of those attending opening night, the show was an undeniable, huge hit. They were captivated throughout, following the superb storytelling and joining in, with gusto, whenever required.

Director, Scott Ritchie, proves his metal again following his last visit to Malvern Festival Theatre with his equally excellent Cinderella. He has a definite skill in choosing the perfect cast for his shows. Jessica Punch is perfectly boyish as the eponymous character, Pan, clearly revealing in the challenge presented by the fiendish Captain Hook, played with aplomb by Mark Moraghan. Rosie Needham is striking in both looks and attitude as the pesky fairy, Tinker Bell, and Anna Lawrence presents a refreshingly empowered Wendy. Her brothers, John and Michael, are brilliantly played by Rhys Harris Clarke and Oliver Simmons, respectively. CBeebies star, Andrew Agnew, impresses with his pop vocals for his two numbers, Bills and Uptown Funk, and is clearly as at home on stage as he is on television. A rare quality these days. Laura Harrison plays a feisty Tiger Lilly and Hannah-Jane Fox is as delightful as Mrs Darling as she is entertaining as the saucy mermaid, Persil.

The pirate crew, made up of Andrew Rothwell, Jacob Theisinger and Chris Gage, bound around the stage with impressive energy and perform the most amazing tumbling act in the second half, with the help of a surprisingly agile, Smee. Alastair Bull’s choreography is slickly delivered by dancers of the Cecilia Hall Dance Centre, past and present, including Amelia Arnold and Isla Thompson who are currently training in London at Laine Theatre Arts and Millennium College. Lastly, lads from a variety of performing arts groups in Worcestershire do a grand job as the Lost Boys.

Andrew Ryan’s script is as funny as it is topical and moves at quite a pace. The music is inspired from the hilarious pre-show announcement with Smee and Adele to the great selection of songs throughout pretty much makes up the Now That’s What I Call Music 2015, with a couple of musical theatre numbers thrown in for good measure. The vocals from everyone are very impressive. In fact, Tinker Bell’s rendition of ‘Fight Song’ is one of the best moments in pantomime ever for me. Credit goes to Musical Director, Dean McDermott who is accompanied on keyboards by the talented Mark Cooper and Nicholas Atkins.

The only thing that lets this awesome production down is the scenery, which has seen much better days and is in desperate need of repair or replacement. The Darling children’s bedroom looks as if it would qualify for DIY SOS. Congratulations have to go to the stage crew and technicians who do the most incredible job and clearly have their work cut out for them during the run.

This is a truly magical pantomime and perfect entertainment for the entire family. Get your tickets quick though as it’s selling out fast!