Moulin Rouge The Musical

 

Review by Paul Towers, 25/4/23

Moulin Rouge The Musical, book by John Logan

Directed by Alex Timbers

Choreographed by Sonya Tayeh

At Piccadilly Theatre, London. Booking til September 2023 at the time of writing

“a Spectacular Spectacular”

Rarely have I been so blown away by a production that I have had to leave it a couple of days before putting pen to paper (metaphorically).

Based on Baz Luhrmann’s innovative reimagining of the 1928 film Moulin Rouge The Musical takes all the outrageous elements of Luhrmann’s 2001 film,  camps them up even further and explodes the whole thing into the theatre as a, in the words of MC Harold Zidler, Spectacular Spectacular!

Everything you expected from the film is there on stage plus even more.

The basic story is that in 1899 the Moulin Rouge, a dissolute Paris bordello posing as a cabaret is on the verge of bankruptcy and peopled by a collection of degenerates desperately trying to bring in enough customers to stave off the inevitable. Their single asset, their sparkling diamond, is Satine, the star of their show. Zidler has lined up a gullible, but rich, Duke to finance the show and thus save it from closing. There is a sting in the tail of his generous offer. He wants Satine. Meanwhile Christian, a penniless American song writer, is mistaken for the Duke and Satine falls in love with him. Much confusion ensues.

What lifts this supposed jukebox musical into the heights is the extraordinary way that dozens of songs have been edited together and used as a narrative. Some songs you only get to hear a single line but the audience laughs at every incongruous lyric. If you look in the programme there is a whole double page of song acknowledgements. Seventy four songs by my reckoning! I doubt any other musical can boast such a number and range of styles of songs.

The main cast includes Melissa James as Satine, Jamie Muscato as Christian (last seen by me in Curve’s West Side Story), Ben Richards as The Duke and, holding it all together, Matt Rixon as Harold Zidler. The ensemble are an extraordinary cast of singers, dancers and actors ably complimented by a live band of ten led by Musical Director James McKeon.

All of this would make a great show but the icing on the top of the cake is the set. Designed by Derek McLaine it is a riot of colour and includes both the iconic windmill and a life sized elephant.

Moulin Rouge is booking til September 2023 at the moment but, judging by the sold out night on Tuesday, it will run forever.

www.moulinrougemusical.co.uk/

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk

 

The Bodyguard The Musical

Review by Paul Towers, 17/4/23

The Bodyguard The Musical by Lawrence Kasdan, book by Alexander Dinelaris

Directed by Thea Sharrock

Produced by Michael Harrison & David Ian

At Curve til Saturday 22^nd April 2023

“wall to wall Whitney Houston classic songs”

I am sure that most people already know the plot of the 1992 movie starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston. Originally created as a vehicle for Steve McQueen and Diana Ross twenty years previously it ended up being a showcase for Houston’s amazing voice.

The stage musical finally got made in 2012 when producer David Ian bought the rights.

For those who have missed out on one of the most popular rom-thrillers in recent times the plot is fairly standard. Rachel Marron is a mega star singer and a bit of a diva. Her sister, Nikki, is the original ‘spare’ forever consigned to the background of her sister’s success. Frank Farmer, the Bodyguard of the title, is brought in to protect Rachel after she receives threats from a mysterious Stalker. The secondary drama of the story is that Rachel and Frank hate each other on sight but eventually fall in love.

If that were all there was to the show it would be pretty unexceptional. The clever bit, as with the film, was to use it as the story to a jukebox musical of Whitney Houston songs.

The role of Rachel Marron is split between two singer/actresses. Last night it was the turn of Samantha Mbolekwa, the owner of an extraordinary voice. The powerhouse vocals require amazing technique and it is no wonder that the role requires two singers. It would ruin the voice of anyone attempting it every night week in week out.

While she doesn’t have anywhere near as many numbers to sing Emily-Mae as Nikki Marron has just as good a voice.

As The Bodyguard, Ayden Callaghan, doesn’t have the power ballads that the girls do but he does a nice line in gruff, no-nonsense, in control macho-ness in a James Bond style.

And for sheer scene stealing look out for young Iesa Miller playing Fletcher, Rachel's son.

The stars are very ably supported by a talented ensemble choreographed by Karen Bruce. A clever set, designed by Tim Hatley, makes good use of Curve’s technological magic.

With wall to wall Whitney Houston classic songs this is a great night out. In view of recent problems in other venues the pre-show announcement warns people not to join in until the finale. To Leicester Curve’s audience’s credit they behaved impeccably, as I knew they would and waited til the closing number before getting to their feet and giving the cast a well deserved standing ovation with the sing-a-long to a medley.

There are still a few tickets left for the rest of the run but don’t leave it too long before you book

 

www.thebodyguardmusical.com

www.curveonline.co.uk

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk

Steel Magnolias

 

Review by Paul Towers, 4/4/23

Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling

Directed by Anthony Banks

Produced by Trafalgar Theatre Productions

At Curve til Saturday 8^th April 2023

“the smart one-liners come thick and fast”

When Robert Harling’s beloved sister Susan died of diabetic complications in 1985 he started to write about the amazingly funny, strong women that surrounded him in Louisisana. Those stories became Steel Magnolias, first a play and then a film.

Annelle Dupuy (Elizabeth Ayodele) turns up at Truvy Jones’ (Lucy Speed) hair salon and quickly makes herself indispensable. The steady stream of clients include M’Lynn Eatenton (Laura Main), mother to Shelby (Diana Vickers). Clairee Belcher (Caroline Harker) is the always happy ex-Mayor’s widow. When Shelby has a hypoglycaemic episode it is this close knit band of friends who help her recover. Add into this mix the grumpy Ousier Boudreaux (Claire Carpenter in this run) and you have the six strong cast of this funny, warm, life affirming play.

While the deep south American accents take a little getting used to the smart one-liners come thick and fast, especially in the second half.

An ingenious set that changes swiftly to mark the passing of the seasons was designed by Laura Hopkins whilst the garish 1980’s costumes are down to Susan Kulkarni.

Stel Magnolias continues touring

https://steelmagnoliasplay.co.uk/

www.curveonline.co.uk

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk

 

The Railway Children - a musical

 

Review by Paul Towers, 31/3/23

The Railway Children – A Musical by Julian Woodford, music & lyrics by Richard John and Julian Woodford

Directed by  Leigh White

Produced by Leicester Drama Society (LDS)

At The Little Theatre until Saturday 15^th April

“a perfect Easter treat”

Way back in 1970 a classic movie was born. Under the auspices of the legend that was Lionel Jeffries, who bought the rights at the time, The Railway Children quickly became a family favourite.

In 2005 a stage musical was premiered and has become a firm favourite with children, young and old, ever since.

Written by E (Edith) Nesbit in 1905 and published the following year The Railway Children follows the story of three children and their mother, reduced to penury when their father is wrongly convicted of spying. In dire straits they move out of London to the country to await what they all fervently believe will be the clearing of their father’s name. Their subsequent adventures include saving the life of an injured boy when he breaks his ankle and can’t get off the railway line and preventing a train derailing when a tree blows down.

Mother (Amanda Sadler) arrives on the platform of the deserted station in the country with her three children in tow. Roberta, the eldest (Scarlett Hubbard), Peter, the stroppy teenager (Harvey Griffiths) and Phyllis (Ava Colford /Hollie Longley Wilford) the baby of the family are lost and bewildered. Fortunately Mr Perks (Tom Young), the station Master, is able to point them in the right direction. Perks’ children, typical country kids, resent the ‘townies’ arriving but very soon the two families rub along quite nicely.

The main cast are ably supported by an ensemble which peoples the village with characters.

Huge kudos should go to Gem Greaves who designed the original set for LDS. Somehow they even managed to get the front end of a steam train onstage.

Because so many of the cast are youngsters all the children’s roles have to be doubled up (the perfect excuse to go and see the show a second time!)

Once again LDS has assembled a cast of the most talented amateur performers from Leicester and the surrounding area. The singing is superb and the acting, especially from the young cast members, is astonishing.

The Railway Children is a perfect for the Easter Holidays and as such runs til 15^th April

 

www.thelittletheatre.co.uk/whats-on

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk