Drew McOnie

Jesus Christ Superstar

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ever since I saw Timothy Sheader’s bold reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre I thought how perfect it would look on the Lowry’s Lyric stage, fast-forward several years and here we are in sunny Salford where there’s undoubtedly a buzz in the air.

This innovative restaging of the much-loved classic thrills right from the very first moments as the ensemble excitedly rush through the stalls onto Tom Scutt’s industrial looking set, complete with high scaffold columns and an imposing fallen cross.

As the iconic intro notes to Heaven On Their Minds play out, we see a brooding, hooded Shem Omari James as Judas surveying the scene. Judas and Jesus poignantly lock eyes for the 1st time before Shem Omari James’ crystal clear vocals give us a striking indicator of the quality of the production we’re about to see.

Ian McIntosh is superb in the role of Jesus, his vocals are insanely good, while his performance is rich in empathy and emotion as he accepts the fate he knows lies before him. His delivery of Gethsemane is electric, ensuring every audience member feels his turmoil at this pivotal point in the show. Lee Curran’s lighting design adding to the already spine-tingling scene making this an absolute chef’s kiss moment.

The scenes between Judas and Jesus are intense and loaded, each character is well-defined, and has their own powerful story to tell. The symbolism and poignancy of each heated exchange between the two further engaging us in this beautifully directed piece.

Hannah Richardson gives a heavenly performance as Mary Magdelane, she softens each scene with her gentle, loving characterisation, further opening up the opportunity to show Jesus as a multifaceted, complex man. Her delivery of I Don’t Know How To Love Him is sublime.

Ryan O’Donnell gives a commanding, considered performance as Pilot his incredible vocals during Trial Before Pilot are a thrilling highlight of the show. Timo Tatzber makes the most of every minute on stage as the brilliantly brattish, bawdy Herod, his physicality and flamboyance perfectly embodying the character.

Jad Habchi and Stephen Lewis-Johnston as High Priests Caiaphas and Annas are incredible, strong and striking as they plot to bring Jesus down, they have the most unbelievable ranges and deliver Tim Rice’s lyrics in memorable style.

In addition to the leads the tremendous ensemble ensure this visually arresting production surprises and impresses throughout. They deliver Drew McOnie’s modern choreography with stunning accuracy, switching from celebratory crowd to baying mob with powerful precision.

The inspired choreography paired with stunning performances ensure this Jesus Christ Superstar is one which will live long in the memory. Breathtakingly brilliant from start to end.

Jesus Christ Superstar is on at The Lowry until Saturday 25th May, tickets available here.

Strictly Ballroom

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Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oozing with colour, sparkle and sass Strictly Ballroom is a feisty and fun production which will leave you grinning from ear to ear and digging out your dance shoes.

Based on Baz Luhrman’s iconic 1992 film, the first of his Red Curtain Trilogy which would also include Romeo & Juliet and Moulin Rouge, Strictly Ballroom is all about breaking the rules and following your heart.

Ballroom dancer Scott Hasting (Jonny Labey) dreams of dancing his own steps, he yearns to break away from the rigid rules of the ballroom dancing federation and feed his passion for performance on his own terms. Unfortunately his pushy mother Shirley (Anna Francolini) has other ideas.

Forever in the background Fran (Zizi Strallen) picks up on Jonny’s burning ambitions and begs for the chance to dance with him, cue an ultimately sparkling relationship which takes them both on a journey neither could have predicted. Labey and Strallen burst with vibrancy and breath-taking talent; they excel in the grand extravagant numbers and fizz with passion in the sharp, intimate duets, their movements precise and expressive. Director Drew McOnie has woven dance so beautifully into every aspect of this production with feelings and thoughts being expressed through the most sublime of movements, it’s a joy to watch.

Will Young takes on the role of Willy Strand, specially created for the stage production Strand acts as MC and narrator for the evening, guiding the audience through the story with beautifully interwoven songs including Love Is in the Air, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and Slave To The Rhythm. Young’s vocals are smooth as honey, he has a great ability to add depth and emotion to each and every song, this paired with his cheeky, glint in the eye narration ensures a perfect pace is maintained throughout. There is little interaction between Strand and the characters but the role works remarkably well.

The cast are enormously strong and burst with talent in this camp and creative extravaganza. Each character larger than life adding injections of humour in every scene. Charlotte Gooch is mind-blowingly perfect as Tina Sparkle as she pulls out moves that would leave most of us calling for an ambulance, Gary Watson is deliciously camp as ballroom dance champ Ken Railings while Lauren Stroud delivers the part of Liz Holt, Jonny’s original pouting partner with perfection.

Costume designer Catherine Martin must have cleared out the sequin section of every haberdashery south of the Watford Gap with her dazzling costumes matching gloriously the high-energy of the on-stage performances.

Strictly Ballroom is joyful, over the top escapism, bursting with colour, enormously funny with an uplifting story of self-expression at its heart. It will make you smile from start to finish through every bright, bold and sensational moment of this visually stunning show. Exhilarating theatre which delivers as every level.

On at the Piccadilly theatre, currently booking until October, tickets available here.

Bugsy Malone

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Reviewed by Matt Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Put on your trilby, shake your tail feather, and grab your splurge gun because one of the most beloved musicals, Bugsy Malone is in town this week providing the perfect night out for all the family.

The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre Group first performed this version of the late film maker, Sir Alan Parker’s timeless classic back in 2015 and it is now on a nationwide tour.

The cinematic version premiered in 1976 and garnered huge critical and commercial success. This mainly due to its original premise: that of children playing gangsters and showgirls, bringing together classic tropes of film noir and musicals.

Directed by Sean Holmes, this is the tale of a mob turf war between speakeasy owner, Fat Sam and crime kingpin, Dandy Dan. Caught in the middle of it all is wise-guy and boxing promoter, Bugsy Malone, and promising singing starlet, Blousy. As the bodies pile up can Bugsy and Blousy escape the criminal underworld and start a fresh life in Hollywood?

This is such a fun production packed with great performances, catchy musical numbers and well executed set-pieces that will have you smiling throughout. Highlights come thick and fast, with the high energy ‘Fat Sam’s Grand Slam’ perfectly setting the tone of the show. In addition, there is the superbly choreographed ‘We Could Have Been Anything’ and ‘So You Wanna be a Boxer’ which shine a spotlight on choreographer’s Drew McOnie’s outstanding work. All pack a punch and fill the production with such vibrance that you can’t help getting sucked in and taken along for the ride.

As you may expect, this is a showcase for some fine young actors, some of whom are making their professional stage debuts with this production. Mixing these super talented kids with adult performers is a treat to watch. It never seems jarring or takes you out of the action, which can happen when you have children playing adults and vice-versa. This is a super talented ensemble cast that works so hard throughout, providing big laughs and lots of fun.

The costumes and set design by Jon Bausor look great. The costumes fully encapsulate 1920’s America, lots of glitz and glamour for the ladies, and pin stripes suites for the gents. The clever set design, along with Philip Gladwell’s lighting design gives the production a darker element to it, fully evoking criminality, mob assassinations and scenes from old gangster films we are all too familiar with.

The finale may actually be one of my favourite show endings of all the productions I’ve had the good fortune to cover and perfectly captures the immense joy you get from the show.  A huge dance number for all the cast, with absolute joy etched on all their faces, so infectious that the audience were up on their feet and joining in. Bugsy Malone is a big pie in the face full of fun and fabulous performances, and one that will entertain young and old alike.

Bugsy Malone is at the Manchester Opera House till the 12th November. Tickets available here.

Hairspray

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Hairspray-2017-3

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ever popular audience favourite Hairspray burst into Manchester last night for a fun, feisty and feel-good two week stop at the city’s Opera House theatre.

Multi-coloured and multi-layered this is an uplifting and vibrant production with a serious and important message at its heart. Based on the 1988 John Waters film, Hairspray follows Baltimore teenager, Tracy Turnblad’s dream to dance on The Corny Collins Show. Tracy isn’t as conventionally looking as the show’s usual crew and faces an uphill battle from the start. What begins as a burning ambition to win a role on her favourite teen show soon becomes a campaign for social change which sees Tracy crusade to promote racial integration as she battles not only bigots but body shamers too.

Hairspray-2017

Newcomer Rebecca Mendoza makes her professional debut and as the bright, bold and beautiful Tracy Turnblad with a big voice and personality to match her buoyant bouffant she perfectly embodies the impassioned teen. Her comedic acting really raises her performance from excellent to exceptional and she puff and pants to perfection every time teen idol Link Larkin (Edward Chitticks) comes near.

Annalise Liard-Bailey smashes her professional debut as Penny Pingleton, the stunning pairing of Liard-Bailey and Layton Williams being a real highlight of the show, Williams shines as Seaweed, ensuring all eyes are upon him as he twists and flips across the stage, both are an absolute joy to watch.

Brenda Edwards returns as the mighty Motormouth Maybelle and raises the roof with her soulful and emotional rendition of I know where I’ve been. While theatre has a job to entertain it also has important role in educating audiences, which Edwards and cast do so with gusto.

Matt Rixton (Edna) and Graham MacDuff (tonight covering the role of Wilbur) solidify their status as audience favourites with each outrageous and hilarious scene, they’re clearly having just as much fun on stage as the audience off stage as they delight and deliver in style.

While it promotes a message of equality and inclusion Hairspray does it with such wit and charm it is anything but preachy. Drew McOnie’s punchy choreography ensures the pace always remains high while Takis’ sets and costumes are bright, blingy and whisk us straight back to the sixties.

With a vibrant and memorable score including numbers such as You Can’t Stop the Beat, Welcome to the Sixities and Good Morning Baltimore Hairspray never fails to entertain as the audience leapt to their feet in approval. Empowering, uplifting and most of all enormously entertaining!

On at the Opera House until Saturday 7th April tickets available here.