THEGAYUK

Tag: Three Star Musical Review

The latest Three Star Musical Review from THEGAYUK.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Mowtown The Musical – National Tour

    THEATRE REVIEW | Mowtown The Musical – National Tour

    ★★★ | Mowtown The Musical

    After borrowing $800 from his family, Berry Gordy bought a small house in suburban Detroit, built a recording studio and laid the foundation for one of the most successful record labels of all time. Boasting Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, The Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye, amongst others, Motown records grew to be a phenomenon. Featuring songs including ‘Aint No Mountain High Enough, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, My Girl, Dancing In The Street and Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Motown The Musical delves into the story of the label including its meteoric rise and its troubles as the hits dried up.

    The show is punchy and well-paced, moving along at breakneck speed through the label’s back catalogue set against a backdrop of both the rags to riches story of Berry Gordy and the recent social and political history of America. At a time when race riots, the assassination of JFK and Vietnam were at the forefront of the American consciousness, Gordy simply wanted to unify people with his music. The show presents a rather sanitised version of the record label’s history, and touches on Gordy’s relationship with Diana Ross and on his management of some of the biggest names in music. But it is the music which is the major draw here, and it doesn’t disappoint.

    Edward Baruwa steps into the shoes of Gordy remarkably well, and has a soulful voice and a natural charisma, holding the show together with his almost constant on stage presence. Olivia Hibbert does a fine impression of Diana Ross, and Daniel Haswell stands out amongst the large ensemble with his performance as Stevie Wonder. The production is incredibly slick, with vivid colours, stunning costumes and an incredibly effective use of projected backdrops which is superb as it transports the audience from scene to scene.

    It is difficult to deny the legacy of what Gordy created; the songs remain absolute classics, the artists are legends and the music lives on. Cramming such a sprawling tale into a two and half hour show is a challenge, but by keeping it relatively light and focussing on the music, Motown The Musical is ultimately a feel-good celebration of some of the biggest songs ever recorded.

    Motown The Musical is at Sheffield Theatres until 30th November 2019 before continuing its national tour.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat – National Tour

    THEATRE REVIEW | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat – National Tour

    ★★★ | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat – National Tour

    Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s well-loved family musical tells the biblical story of Joseph and his eleven brothers. Joseph is favoured by his father and is given a Technicolor coat, which causes his brothers to become so jealous of his favourable treatment that they take him into the desert to kill him. But seizing an unexpected opportunity to make some money, the brothers sell him into slavery instead and Joseph is taken to Egypt where his ability to interpret dreams is put to good use by the Pharaoh.

    The two hour show is jam packed full of songs that you can’t help but know the words to, including “Any Dream Will Do”, “One More Angel In Heaven” and “Close Every Door”. Visually, the show was vibrant, colourful, full of an enthusiastic and energetic cast and some enjoyable choreography.

    Jaymi Hensley (Union J, X-Factor) stars in his first major musical role and provides a mixed performance, sounding wonderful belting out the songs at some points in the show, but completely over-doing the forced and unnecessary vocal gymnastics and operatic trills at others.

    Production wise, as expected, the costumes, set and a particularly effective lighting design were all awash with a variety of colours, and the whole thing came across as a fun and lively production which was professionally put together. Despite being first performed in the late sixties, the music still retains a fresh feel, with an eclectic mix of musical styles, from Country to Rock n Roll, and from Calypso to a parody of French Ballads.

    Overall, Joseph is an evening of pleasant and undemanding entertainment which delivers on many levels, particularly in terms of production, but also in terms of nostalgia (most people of a certain age will remember doing this show as their school play). It’s great family entertainment and is ultimately enjoyable, if fairly cheesy, fun.

    Joseph is currently at Sheffield Theatres until 9th November 2019 before continuing on its national tour

  • THEATRE REVIEW | On Your Feet – National Tour

    THEATRE REVIEW | On Your Feet – National Tour

    ★★★ | On Your Feet, Sheffield

    (C) PR SUPPLIED

    Tracing her rise from Cuban immigrant to global superstar, On Your Feet tells the story of Gloria Estafan and the Miami Sound Machine.

    From humble beginnings, the group went on to sell over 100 million records, albeit not without struggling to bring their fusion of Latin beats and Pop to the charts. But the American dream turns sour when at the height of her fame, tragedy hits the family.

    You might think that Gloria Estafan’s life was not really eventful enough to carry the narrative of a two-hour show, and, well, you may be right.

    There is very little in this musical biopic that hasn’t been seen before. The show feels a little self-indulgent at times, only ever skimming the surface of Estafan’s life and there are no huge revelations. The story ambles along without really getting very far in act one; and despite the narrative thickening out a little during act two, it remains a rather superficial look at her life.

    Narrative aside and despite a rather lacklustre set, this is a big production with a quality feel, an excellent lighting design taking us from the heat of the Cuban sun to packed out stadiums, some stunningly beautiful costumes, a stage full of actors and a superb live band on stage. Francesca Lara Gordon plays Gloria Estafan as a sassy, headstrong and determined woman, and had a voice enabling her to belt out the pop tunes and softly sing the slower numbers; and there was a tangible chemistry between her and George Ioannides as Emilio Estafan.

    With a good mix of ballads, upbeat pop and Latin American music, the show bursts into life during the musical numbers which are filled with passion and energy. With infectious Latin rhythms and dance routines that positively sizzle, outstanding choreography and an ensemble cast as hot as the Miami sun, the show really does impress during these moments and proves to be utterly irresistible.

    On Your Feet is a musical biopic with the emphasis firmly on the music rather than the biopic, and provides a couple of hours of foot-tapping, feel-good fun.

    On Your feet is at Sheffield Theatres until 19th October 2019, before continuing on its national tour.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | We Will Rock You, National Tour

    THEATRE REVIEW | We Will Rock You, National Tour

    ★★★ |We Will Rock You, National Tour

    WE WILL ROCK YOU by Elton, , Writer and Director – Ben Elton, Set Designer – Mark Fisher, Costume Designer – Tim Goodchild, Lighting designer – Willie Williams, Churchill Theatre, Bromley, UK, 2019, Credit: Johan Persson

    Set in a distant, dystopian future where musical instruments and composers are banned, where generic pop music is imposed on the public and rock music is all but unknown, a small group of “Bohemians” struggle to restore the idea of thought, fashion and, most importantly, rock music as they break free of the grip of the Killer Queen.

    Seventeen years after it opened, this theatrical juggernaut heads out on a theatre tour bringing with it some of Queen’s most iconic songs. The show is a full-on assault to the senses, with a set made up of giant screens displaying animated, projected backdrops, a colourful array of costumes and music and vocals so loud that the bass reverberates in your chest.

    During the first act, the songs come thick and fast, with the wafer-thin plot serving little more purpose other than linking one song to the next, but the second act yields a little more to the rather silly narrative whilst still packing in enough hits to keep you entertained.

    Such big songs require big voices and the two leads, Ian McIntosh and Elena Skye can certainly belt out the tunes, giving solid vocal performances; whilst audience favourite Michael McKell provided some excellent comic relief throughout.

    But the real stars here are the songs, and the show packs in all the Queen hits you are expecting. Despite a plot which is utter nonsense, We Will Rock You will have you rocking your way out of the theatre.

    We Will Rock You is currently at Sheffield Theatres before continuing on its national tour.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Rouge, London

    THEATRE REVIEW | Rouge, London

    ★★★ | Rouge

    The final headline act the 2019 Underbelly Festival Southbank is the Australian circus cabaret act Rouge. The award-winning group is in a long line of acts that have played at the famous Southbank venue, the most memorable of them Little Death Club – a naughty but nice cabaret act from Berlin that tore the house on fire. While Rouge doesn’t quite attain this level of scandal (and nudity), they give the audience what they want: jaw-dropping acrobatics, skin, and lots and lots of chairs.

    The cast includes the mind-bending Cyr wheel action and the phenomenal fire routines of Jessie Mckibbin, astonishing acrobatic feats from Lyndon Johnson, Liam DeJong and Madison Burleigh, aerial antics and more than a little cheek from dancer Paul Westbrook, plus the powerhouse operatic vocals of Issie Hart (who had laryngitis the night we were there).

    The sexy Westbrook is the emcee for the evening – all he really needs to do is just stand on stage and that would be enough! But he’s got a job to do – not just to emcee but also to perform in some of the acrobatics – and perform he does!

    Rouge is 60 minutes of twirling (the acts) and slurping (you – from drinks at the bar). And at the end of the show, you can meet the cast at the bar outside – what other show lets you do that? So go on and experience a naughty night – at the hands of Rouge!

    Rouge plays at Underbelly until Sunday 15 September 2019. Book tickets here 

     

  • Theatre Review | Annie – National Tour

    ★★★☆☆ | Annie – National Tour

    It’s a hard knock life for little orphan Annie. Living in the orphanage which is ruled with an iron fist by the devilish Miss Hannigan, Annie longs for the day when her parents will return to find her.  After escaping from the orphanage and as Christmas approaches, she is chosen to spend two weeks with Mr Warbucks, a billionaire, at his home. But when he offers a large reward for finding Annie’s parents, Miss Hannigan plots to grab the money for herself.

    Craig Revel Horwood is suitably sour faced as the gin-soaked Miss Hannigan, as he entertainingly camps it up a little and is clearly enjoying himself. The ensemble cast of children stay on the right side of twee as they all attack the musical numbers with gusto; whilst Sandy the dog received the biggest reaction from the audience as he trotted across the stage.

    As a production, this show has a great deal to offer. With a set that has more than a shade of Matilda influence in it, the production values in this touring show are of a high standard. Nikolai Foster’s direction is steady and assured, the musical numbers are bouncy and vibrant with choreography which is light, fun and varied and the costumes, lighting design and props are all great.

    Production values aside, the show itself is a little dated, rather twee, borders on the sickly sweet and loses some momentum during the second act; but remains a solid family show and a great introduction to musical theatre for younger family members. With a songbook which included Tomorrow, You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile and It’s A Hard Knock Life, this production of Annie turned out to be far more fun and much more entertaining than it had any right to be.

    Annie is at Sheffield Theatres until Saturday 8th June 2019 before continuing on its national tour.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Calendar Girls The Musical – National Tour

    ★★★☆☆ | Calendar Girls The Musical

    When Annie’s husband John dies from leukaemia at an early age, her close friend Chris, suggests that they raise funds though their Women’s Institute group to purchase a comfortable sofa for the visitor’s lounge in the hospital where John was treated. But Chris’ plans are to forego the usual Jam and Jerusalem traditions of the organisation and to get the girls to agree to pose for a nude calendar with only WI pastimes to hide their modesty.

    Based on the well-known true story, Tim Firth’s script vacillates between tickling the funny bone and tugging on the heart strings as it works its way to a laughter inducing denouement and a touching closing scene; but never at the expense of (if you’ll pardon the pun) fleshing out the main characters and the supporting cast. Gary Barlow’s accompanying music is pleasant and carries forward the narrative with a mix of the catchy and the bittersweet, with Anna Jane Casey’s heart-breaking rendition of Kilimanjaro, a song about the struggle to carry on after the loss of a loved one, a real highlight.

    But the show is rightly all about the girls, and Casey is just superb playing the bereaved Annie, bouncing nicely off Rebecca Storm as her best friend Chris. Thrown into the mix, amongst others, are Denise Welch (TV’s Loose Women), Fern Britton (This Morning) and Karen Dunbar, who all come together to give you a group of ladies who form a formidable ensemble cast.

    Based on the true story, Calendar Girls follows in the footsteps of the film and original stage play in celebrating the remarkable achievement of the group of women. Whilst is it a little twee at times, it carries a strong story about friendship, challenging expectations and taking a risk, as conventions and traditions are dropped as quickly as the girls’ clothes.

    Calendar Girls The Musical is at the Sheffield Lyceum until 13.04.19 before continuing on its national tour.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | American Idiot – National Tour

    THEATRE REVIEW | American Idiot – National Tour

    ★★★☆☆ | American Idiot – National Tour

    In a post 9/11 America, three friends go their separate ways to try to find both themselves and where they belong in society. Will stays in suburbia to try and make his relationship with his pregnant girlfriend work, Tunny joins the army and Johnny stays in the city to find friendship but finds a part of himself he never expected. But it doesn’t take long for the American Dream to come crashing down around them as they become increasingly disenfranchised trying to fit into a world where they don’t seem to belong.

    Based on the songs of pop-rock band Green Day, America Idiot presents itself as a sing-through rock opera, where the relentless barrage of songs tells the story and there is little room for any script. The show opens with the title song and, for the first act, literally doesn’t let up from there. Tom Milner (Waterloo Road) as Johnny is a charismatic lead with a performance brimming with cocksure swagger and confidence, whilst Joshua Downen portrays Tunny’s journey from angry young man to war veteran with subtlety.

    After exploding onto the stage, the first act is loud, bold, brash, rebellious, angry and exhilarating; and has an unyielding, in your face energy which carries the audience along for the ride, assaulting their senses and reverberating the bass guitar in their chest. However, the second act doesn’t maintain the energy of the first, and as they story grows very dark and the pace slows down, the show loses some momentum.

    America Idiot reflects a warts and all portrayal of a recent time in American politics and a biting attack on a divided society which will be recognisable to angst ridden teens; whilst Green Day’s music continues to speak to a generation and still maintains relevance in today’s current political climate.

    America Idiot is at the Sheffield Lyceum until 30th March 2019 before continuing on its national tour. The show contains adult themes and strong language.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Saturday Night Fever – National Tour

    THEATRE REVIEW | Saturday Night Fever – National Tour

    ★★★☆☆ | Saturday Night Fever – National Tour

    Stuck in a dead end job and in a deadbeat family, Tony Manero escapes the dull routine of his life by gathering the adoration of the crown as he struts his stuff on the dance floors of Brooklyn’s discos. But whilst practising with new dance partner, Stephanie Mana, his eyes are opened up to a world beyond the Brooklyn Bridge, and Tony slowly realises that his life has to change.

    Richard Winsor (Casualty) is affable enough as Tony Manero and is well matched by Kate Parr as Stephanie, whilst the ensemble cast fills the stage and brims with energy and enthusiasm during the dance numbers.

    Overall, the production has its faults. The set intrudes on stage leaving little room for the cast; the second act is narrative heavy with a storyline which all gets rather gloomy, the rapid flicking between brief scenes made the proceedings feel disjointed and the faux Brooklyn accents made the script difficult to decipher at times.

    But as you would expect, where this show comes alive is in the disco scenes, and these sections of the show are vibrant, colourful and full of life; and as they explode onto the stage they are a pure joy to watch. Featuring a soundtrack which defined a generation, the live band and singers were one of the show’s strongest features, as they brilliantly captured the look, sound, feel and falsetto harmonies of the Bee Gee’s, and belted out a string of songs which are deeply embedded in popular culture, including ‘Stayin’ Alive’, ‘Jive Talkin’’, ‘If I Can’t Have You’ and ‘How Deep Is Your Love’.

    Overall, Saturday Night Fever is a bit of a mixed bag, albeit one which is lifted by its strong and infectious musical numbers, the enthusiasm of the cast and a heavy dose of nostalgia.

    Saturday Night Fever is currently at Sheffield Theatres until Saturday 2nd March 2019 before continuing on its national tour. 

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Rip It Up, Garrick Theatre, London

    THEATRE REVIEW | Rip It Up, Garrick Theatre, London

    ★★★ | Rip it Up

    The 60s are back in the West End, and add a lot of dancing, throw in a few handsome pop stars, and what you have is an evening of very very light theatre.

    Rip it Up, now playing at the Garrick Theatre, throws into the mix the best songs from the 60’s with beautiful choreography (by Gareth Walker, who is also the Director), and starring four former Strictly Come Dancing Contestants, and heartthrobs.

    Louis Smith MBE (former Olympic gymnast and all around hunk), Aston Merrygold (former member of the X-Factor group JLS), Harry Judd (drummer in the worldwide famous pop group McFly), and last but not least Jan McGuiness (from The Wanted). These men, along with a bevy of young and sexy backup dancers, give it their all with fancy dance moves and upbeat music. But the best part of the show is the amazing singing by Jill Marie Cooper and Ant Brant. Cooper wins the audience over in her renditions of songs from Dionne Warwick to Jefferson Airplane, which lifts this show up a couple notches for without them this would’ve been just another jukebox musical without the jukebox.

    All of the four male leads are fine, but they are not allowed to individually shine that much. Merrygold only gets to sing a couple songs, while we are treated to an all too short gymnastics routine by Smith (though luckily for he spends most of the time in the show either topless or wearing tight clothes). He is also a very graceful dancer. Judd is allowed a one minute drum solo (the audience wanted more), while McGuiness really doesn’t seem to offer much, though he tries his darndest to keep up with the dance moves.

    Emcee Cavin Cornwall does a fine job guiding the audience through the different musical sounds of the 60s, though he wobbles horribly through ‘Heard if Through the Grapevine‘. Videos of Lulu, Tony Blackburn, designer Zandra Rhodes and the indelible Dionne Warwick tell us what is was really like in the 60s – show us don’t tell us! And Lulu actually comes on a few too many times.

    But ultimately Rip it Up will only appeal to fans of the X-Factor and Strictly Come Dancing (of which all four stars have danced in). I can see this show selling out on the UK tour, but for a West End stage, it doesn’t quite feel right.

    Rip it Up plays at The Garrick Theatre until June 2, 2019

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Moscow City Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty, Sheffield

    ★★★☆☆ | Moscow City Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty

    Set to the music of Tchaikovsky, and recounting the fairy tale of The Sleeping Beauty; Moscow City Ballet return with one of their better presented, yet staunchly traditional ballets; as Princess Aurora is cursed by the evil fairy, Carabosse, and sleeps for 100 years until she is awoken by the kiss of a prince.

    Of the various ballets in Moscow City Ballet’s repertoire, this is perhaps one of the better presented pieces. With its feet planted very much in the traditional tights and tutu’s style ballet, this production lacks the dramatic flair of Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures; and doesn’t have the detailed narrative of Northern Ballet; but does offer a timeless take on a classic ballet which is used to showcase the dancer’s skills and talents, rather than deliver an exhilarating narrative or flashy visuals.

    With some impressive costumes and utilising a static set of backdrops to create a workable dance space, there were times when the ballet sparkled and really came alive, especially during the ensemble pieces and, in particular, in the opening scenes of Act 2, which were quite charming. But despite the technical ability of the dancers, the choreography felt rather lacklustre at times, especially towards the end of the third act where it all became rather repetitive. Compounding that, there appeared to be little connection between the characters on stage, with the dancers performing with fixed grins whilst staring out into the middle distance, and not really looking as if they were enjoying themselves at all.

    Sleeping Beauty is a mixed production. When it is at its height, it has genuine charm; but does have a few lulls in the pacing of the production, especially as it tails off towards its conclusion. But that said, it has some technically excellent performances from the company and is about as traditional as they come.

    If you are looking for an accessible, straight forward evening of ballet which showcases the skill and suppleness of these talented individuals, then this may well be the production for you.

    Moscow City Ballet are at Sheffield Theatres until 12th January 2019 before continuing on their national tour showcasing four ballets, Swan lake, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty and Romeo & Juliet. Details can be found on their website.