Waitress - a second helping please

The opening night of Waitress The Musical at Sunderland Empire was possibly the epitome of musical theatre bar none.  A love story set in a diner, the lead in an unhappy marriage but devoted to her passion for baking love into pies and a series of relationships that are totally relatable - Waitress is THE feelgood musical, completely deserving of all its plaudits.

The premise is of a waitress (duh) who spends her days creating fabulous pies (thus pandering to the American obsession with fruit filled pastries) for the diner patrons where she works.  Her marriage is a shell; on the outside she shows acceptance but inside her unhappiness and desire for more is what drives her forwards.  Add to this some sass and innocence from her diner co-workers and we have all the ingredients for total immersion in the world of deep south, small town, road side diners.

Lucie Jones as the lead Jenna is beyond compare; her portrayal as an independent woman shackled by the traditions of small town America but with dreams to take her far beyond a stove-chained wife moved everyone in the audience.  She brings innocence, wistful longing for a better life and yet a realism that counters the sugar coated happy ever after.  Sandra Marvin as Becky, Jenna's bff is truly amazing - she reminded me of the great Aretha Franklin in Blues Brothers - sass, love, fun and pipes to rival the greatest.  Evie Hoskins as Dawn, the innocent 3rd server of the diner trifecta adds a wonderful comedic element and plays wonderfully off George Crawford as her beau Ogie.

Jenna's love interest is Dr Pomatter, played by Matt Jay-Willis (he of the band Busted (whom I have seen live and I have to admit love their early 2000's tunes) Jay-Willis is wonderful, very reminiscent of a young Tom Hanks in both his mannerisms and understated comedic sensitivities.  Of course he can sing, but his acting and timing are 1st class.

To be honest, the whole cast were totally wonderful; a warm and engaging group who elevated storytelling to the highest level and enveloped the audience in a warm hug of escapism.  The stage and set were without doubt the best example in the country; I doubt the huge stage at the Empire has ever been used so perfectly - Sky Barnes (Stage Manger), Alex Sumner-Hughes (Director) and Sue Berry (Company Stage Manager) deserve awards for their delivery - in particular the number "She Used to be Mine" is possibly the most moving, and most brilliant stage scene I've ever seen.

There is so much humour in this show that some might be tempted to class it a comedy, yet the overarching premise is of never forgetting your dreams and remaining true to yourself. Waitress is a 5 star must see, very much worthy of a second slice and totally deserving of the full house standing ovation.

Waitress The Musical is on at Sunderland Empire until Saturday October 30th

Strictly Musicals 3 - THE Greatest Show

"Everything you've missed over the past 18 months, all condensed into one amazing night performed by truly amazing people"

The Darlington Operatic Society (DOS) Autumn Spectacular Strictly Musicals 3 - The Greatest Show opened last night and once again they delivered a show full of passion, humour and talent.  From the opening refrain of the Greatest Showman (from the smoldering Michael Hirst), right through to the confetti explosion at the end of the very apt for the times Spread the Love Around (led by the ever youthful Sam Morrison and Rhiannon Walker), the cast, crew and orchestra never missed a beat, a harmony or a step.

It's well known that DOS has a rich pedigree for bringing together great talent with ambitious choreography and stunning costumes; recent shows include Jekyll and Hyde, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  This production not only showcases even more brilliant voices, they open up some new shows which many may have not yet seen in the UK.  It is testament to the whole company that they are confident to mix classic with contemporary and do so whilst raising their already high bar even higher.

Hits from current smash shows like award winning Six , Dear Evan Hansen (the movie version premiers this week), Something Rotten (which has yet to open in the UK), The Wiz (just about to commence touring again), The Book of Mormon and current West End darling Cinderella gave the Darlington Hippodrome audience a taste of West End and Broadway well before most people have had the chance to see the full productions.  

The DOS 'treatment' (40+ voices in perfect harmony) is given to Les Mis, The Greatest Showman and Cinderella medleys, while solo stars have the audience holding their breath in Bodyguard (Jessica Harrison, Katie Blythe, Claire Willmer, Rhiannon Walker, Kate Williams), The Witches of Eastwick (Zoe Kent, Sam Morrison, Sarah Harland) and La Cage Aux Follies (Julian Cound).  

This year, more than ever, sees many powerful, beautiful female voices, each one would deservedly be a leading lady in their own right, but through the brilliant musical direction of Steven Hood they become a collective force majeure.  

Just as impressive as the singing is the dancing; the company are able to switch seamlessly from ballroom to hip hop, from ragtime to ballet, with the grace and precision one would normally only expect from professional troupes. Most shows will have 2 or 3 main dance numbers, here there are 13 (complete with costume changes in between) and yet the synchronisation and coordination is flawless.

Director and Choreographer Joanne Hand has ensured that the running order brings variety to the pace and tone; company ensembles are followed by intimate solos, powerful ballads play against comedic romps (It's a Musical from Something Rotten is a riot, playing on the brilliant natural comedy talents of Leighton and Eddie Taylor-Jones).  With so many numbers to choose from and a cast who can literally perform ANYTHING, Joanne probably has the hardest job right at the beginning of production in deciding what NOT to include.  As mentioned before, the choices for SM3 will undoubtedly open peoples' eyes and ears to new shows as much as help them fall back in love with old ones.

Looking back at previous Strictly Musicals which were great jukeboxes of musical hits, this production feels more mature, more complex and, if at all possible, even more professional - if you love musical theatre, if you want to sit in awe for an evening and marvel at the local talent or if you just want a great night out then I cannot recommend anything better than DOS Strictly Musicals 3 - it is THE Greatest Show.

Details, tickets and times are available at 

https://www.darlingtonoperaticsociety.org.uk/productions/current-show/

Being Mr Wickham

More Pride than Prejudice

Reprising his role as Mr George Wickham, the man who polarises opinion in Jane Austin’s masterpiece Pride & Prejudice, star of the 1995 BBC dramatisation Adrian Lukis brings us a ‘what happened next’ insight into life after Darcy, Lydia and the Bennets.  

Written and performed by Lukis and Catherine Curzon, this one man show (Directed by Guy Unsworth for original theatre Company) reimagines how Wickham would have continued to live, expanding on his somewhat younger loutish behaviour and following him right through to his 60s.

It is clear that Lukis feels very passionate about continuing Wickham’s story, indeed, his attention to detail, his immersion in Wickham’s progress and his consideration for not letting him be only remembered as a cad and a scoundrel makes this a wonderful epilogue to the Austin tale.  

We are given more understanding about why he was as he was, his relationship with the more popular Darcy and how, over time he would surely have mellowed, allowing his sensibilities to mature and become more rounded (although he will never completely lose that roguish charm).

The second act affords the audience an opportunity to question Adrian, an open floor Q&A in which he will (try) and field any questions and explore other ideas and theories.  

Witty, informed and very insightful, Being Mr Wickham is heartily recommended for fans of the original production and one which I am sure Ms Austen would have certainly approved.

School of Rock

 Class is Session – Make some Noise

Last night saw the Sunderland Empire Gala re-opening night and there could have been little doubt that choosing School of Rock was the best show to celebrate with.

Packed to the rafters, the theatre rocked as one as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage production of the 2003 Richard Linklater / Jack Black movie blew away any feelings of uncertainty and shone the bright spotlights back on the good times.

Led by Jake Sharp as Dewey Finn (reprising his role from the West End production) and joined by Rebecca Lock (Curtains) as Rosalie Mullins, Matthew Rowland as Ned Schneebly and Nadia Violet Johnson as Patty Di Marco, the stage was set for the adults to play second bill to the amazing cast of rock kids.

The story is one of Dewey Finn, wannabe rock god but actual sponger who dreams more than he delivers and is always looking to blame ‘The Man’ for his downfalls.  On a chance opportunity, Finn cons his way into a supply teacher role at a prestigious prep school and, throwing their curriculum out of the window, proceeds to teach the kids all he knows about rocking out and sticking it to the man.

The kids welcome this change in approach and, using their already considerable talents, begin to form Finn’s newest rock band, initially believing this was all part of the school system.  Ultimately, their/Finn’s aim is to win the Battle of the Bands, an open mike competition in a rock club but to do so, Finn must persuade principal Mullins that he should be allowed to take his class on the required ‘field trip’.

Jake Sharp is an amazing performer – channeling the mania of Jack Black, adding in a little John Belushi and then wrapping it all in great singing and brilliant guitar playing, his Dewey Finn is a lovable loser who frustrates as much as he excites.  Rebecca Lock, as principal Mullins, provides the starched counterpoint to Sharp, a locked box of repressed emotions, shouldering the burdens of the kids parents without any release valve until Finn shows her the way.  

Staying very true to the movie in both plot and many of the purpose written songs, the pace is relentless;  like all good rock albums it doesn’t let you rest before going into another great tune, all performed by the cast & band.  An opening announcement confirming that the kids all play their own instruments just serves to create even more awe at how amazing their performances are and all done with genuine enjoyment and masses of energy.

The only slight on this amazing night was that, due to an evacuation right after the last main musical number, the amazing cast were not able to receive the undoubtedly massive ovation they would have had at the final curtain – such a shame but if ever there was a great reason to go and see if again, this is it.

School of Rock is at Sunderland Empire until Saturday 9th October

Strictly Musicals 3 - The Greatest Show

Let the Good Times Return

"A wonderful opportunity to see hits from the biggest shows in musical theatre all on one night"

The past 18 months have for most of us seen a unique change to life; lockdowns, working from home, unsettling news and in worst cases, illness and loss. At times like this it is human nature to look back, before the pandemic and seek out times when things seemed happier, more settled and enjoyable. It is difficult to look ahead and see such times returning anytime soon and yet, on the near horizon is something which, for thousands of people, will give them an escape, a feeling of normality and something to look forward to and enjoy. 

 Darlington Operatic Society’s Strictly Musicals 3 – The Greatest Show.

Darlington Operatic Society has been the premier amateur musical theatre company in the North East for many years, providing twice yearly shows and giving members and theatre-goers fantastic opportunities to enjoy the very best of musical theatre. Back in 2013 they ran an Autumn spectacular, ‘Strictly Musicals’ which showcased some of the most popular musical numbers from shows such as Evita, Les Mis, Sunset Boulevard, Phantom and Wicked. Met with both critical and public acclaim, it was a gatehouse for many to shows they would not normally have chosen and widened appreciation for musicals (resulting in a marked upturn in ticket sales for future musical productions).

A second ‘Strictly’ followed in 2017 and again this proved to be a smash hit, allowing cast and crew to explore Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You, Miss Saigon, Top Hat to name but a few. Led by the company Director and choreographer Joanne Hand and Musical Director Steven Hood, the numbers featured stunning dancing, wonderful choreography and impressive sets, all performed by 40+ cast members whose talents rival any professional production company.

Now, in 2021, (having had to postpone the initial run), Strictly Musicals 3 is about to land and it looks like the pedigree of the previous 2 shows is even stronger. Taking numbers from West End and Broadway mega-hits Hamilton, The Greatest Showman, The Book of Mormon, The Bodyguard, Cabaret, Les Miserables, Sister Act and many more, this guarantees to be 2 hours of high octane, fun-filled song and dance.

With powerful leads channelling Whitney Houston & George Hearn, 40 strong ensemble dance routines and a 12 piece orchestra, this really will be The Greatest Show seen at Darlington Hippodrome. 

 Opening on Wednesday 20th October and running until Saturday 30th tickets are still available, but selling very fast – visit here for more details and to book shorturl.at/tOP25