REVIEW| The Great British Bake Off the Musical, Noel Coward Theatre, London

REVIEW| The Great British Bake Off the Musical, Noel Coward Theatre, London

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

 

Photo Credit:Manuel Harlan.

The Great British Bake Off Musical
Noel Coward Theatre, London

★★★★

So I have a question for you...Do you love the Bake Off and are you a fan or double ententres and slightly cheeky jokes?

If the answer is yes, then this is the show for you. I know that some have written off this musical and have said that not every television show and book needs to be turned into something else however this witty show with book & lyrics by Jake Brunger and Music & Lyrics by Pippa Cleary (of My Son's A Queer fame) is just what the doctor ordered. I laughed, I cried, I got completely emotionally invested in the characters, even feeling sad when certain characters got "sent home".

Creatively it was the perfect homage to a beloved show with Set, Costume and Cake Designer Alice Power hitting the nail on the head giving the whole musical the feel of the tv programme whilst also being its own being and the direction by Rachel Kavanaugh and Choreography by Georgina Lamb just worked perfectly alongside each other too.

The ensemble cast were excellent too. Firstly our two judges for the show Pam and Phil (inspired by Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood) were iconic in their own ways, giving the nod to their alter egos in a funny but loving way. If Prue and Paul ever want the series off Hayden Gywnne and John Owen-Jones would be the perfect replacements.

Photo Credit:Manuel Harlan.

Presenters Kim and Jim played by Zoe Birkett and Scott Paige were another iconic duo with brilliant energy throughout the show, bouncing perfectly against each other as well as working along the bakers too. Speaking of the bakers, I loved that each baker had their time to shine, either getting their own song/solo or part of dialogue or moment and it truly felt like the bakers Grace Mouat, Claire Moore, Catriana Sandison, Charlotte Wakefield, Damian Humbley, Jay Saighal, Michael Cahill and Aharon Rayne were an excellent little family.

I absolutely loved this show, from its music to its story and especially the cast, it is definitely worth a watch and most definitely on the list for one of my most favourite shows of 2023 so far.

Information and tickets can be found on their website here.

REVIEW|Mamma Mia UK & International Tour 2023

REVIEW|Mamma Mia UK & International Tour 2023

Sunday, January 22, 2023

2022 Cast Photo.Credit:Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

Mamma Mia (UK & International Tour)

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

★ ★ ★★

There is nothing more exciting than when a tour begins at your home venue, especially when that show is a modern classic such as Mamma Mia so when it was announce that it would begin its 2023 UK & International tour in the Wolverhampton Grand, you know I returned for another trip to Mediterranean.

This show is such an institution, currently in its 23rd year in the West End and also with it's own VERY popular movie version so the crowd were in good spirits and the show did not disappoint and neither did the cast. The hard working ensemble were amazing to watch, giving 110% to every move they make and never seeming to break a sweat.

First person on the stage Jess Michelmore who plays Sophie owned the stage from the first beat, with her gorgeous voice and glorious chemistry with each of her prospective dads, her mum Donna and her Fiancé Sky (played by the scot Christopher Foley), who already have great chemistry playing the young couple in love brilliantly.

2022 Cast Photo.Credit:Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

The "dads" were another highlight of the show. Each one has their solo moments with both their "daughter" Sophie and with their ex lover Donna and each had their time to shine. Harry played by Neal Craig brought a fun aspect to the song Our Last Summer which I've not seen before and Sam played by Richard Standing worked excellently alongside real life wife Sara Poyzer as Donna. Obviously we all know how their story ends but it was great to watch the journey between the two ex lovers throughout the show.

Phil Corbitt as Bill was possibly my favourite of the trio mainly down to his work with Nicky Swift as Rosie in the second act, which was one of the best performances during the song Take a Chance on Me I've ever seen, I literally howled with laughter.

2022 Cast Photo.Credit:Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

Speaking of Rosie, let's finish with what have to be the true stars of the show, Donna and the Dynamos otherwise known as Donna (Sara Poyzer), Rosie (Nicky Swift) and Tanya (Sarah Earnshaw), who were absolutely excellent.  

Sara's portrayal of Donna was incredible, with so much power, heart and emotion behind her performance, you can believe that you are in for a good watch with this seasoned performer of this character having played it previously in the West End and in past tour productions too. Same with Swift's performance as Rosie, who was just excellent as the slightly comedic role of Donna's best friend. Sarah Earnshaw's portrayal of Tanya was something new for me having seen Sarah previously on stage in different shows but I truly enjoyed her taking on this new role.

It's safe to say that I would 100% recommend this tour production if it is heading towards you over the next few weeks and months, before ending the tour with a little jaunt to the home of ABBA themselves Scandinavia. Tour details and tickets are available from the Official Website.

REVIEW|Nativity the Musical

REVIEW|Nativity the Musical

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Photo Credit:Pamela Raith

Nativity the Musical

Birmingham Rep
★ ★ ★ ★★

We all have our favourite Christmas films, for some it's Elf, for some others it's Die Hard, for me, hands down it's Nativity.  The musical version, which had it's premiere in 2017 in Birmingham, has all the beloved songs from the film alongside additional songs written by Debbie Isitt and Nicky Ager, who are the people behind the music in the film. The show, which has been on a few tours since its initial run, has returned to the Birmingham Rep for this festive season and I returned to St Bernadette's Primary School for a little Christmas Joy.

The creative team for this production remain mostly the same as previous productions including David Woodhead's set design and Tim Mitchell's lighting design, which gives the show the feel of a well warn warm Christmas jumper to a repeat viewer like myself but to a new watcher it still has it's surprises and new exciting places to explore with your eyes.

The cast themselves are excellent. Firstly the real stars of the show, the children-from both schools Oakmoor and St Bernadette's, were amazing. Very impressive, super cute and talented to boot. The "big kids" in the show (the adults) were a great ensemble too. From the return to Jamie Chapman and Jemma Churchill who played Patrick Burns and Mrs Bevan respectively. It was a pleasure to watch both take on their roles again especially Jamie in his various role in the show including my current personal favourite of dancing Christmas Tree which caused me a good titter in my seat.

Photo Credit:Pamela Raith

The key duo of Mr Maddens and Mr Poppy with played by Billy Roberts and Ben Lancaster. "Paddens" were the perfect duo as their energies and characters worked so well against each other. Ben took the role of Mr Poppy to just the right level of funny, leaving me laughing and was a very talented roller skater and Billy played Mr Maddens in such a way that endeared you to him wanting to get on a plane to bring home his long lost love back for him to right the Christmas wrong.

The "villian" of the show, Mr Shakespeare, a teacher at a rival school was played this year by Matthew Rowlands and he was brilliant. I have had the joy of watching Matthew perform in a few shows over the past few years but this role is something different from him with him playing the "bad guy" and I really enjoyed seeing him take this role on.

Jennifer, Mr Madden's lost love and Hollywood's own, was played by Daisy Steere who was an absolute delight to watch and her work alongside Cameron Johnson as the Hollywood boss was lovely to watch as she helped to make him more kind...a Christmas Miracle.

The entire cast were excellent and a joy to watch and love Tom Hext who played the hilarious Mr Rye as well as working with the other teachers and adult ensemble and swings Ralph Bogard, Sydney Isitt-Ager, Callum Train, Eliza Waters and Louie Wood who were absolutely fantastic and truly looked like they were having the best time on the stage.

Photo Credit:Pamela Raith

As I'd hoped this production has all the joy, happiness, sparkle and shine that I could shake a tinselled stick at, it is the perfect way to enter the Christmas season with and if you want the festive feeling to keep going past the 25th, you can catch Nativity the Musical at the Birmingham Rep until 7th January 2023.