Category: Theatre

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
Sunday 15th February 2024  By Nigel Gambles
Photography – Nigel Gambles

This touring show of the West End hit is as authentic and exciting as you can get. You could really close your eyes and listen and convince yourself it was the real Simon & Garfunkel on stage in front of you.

Playing to a packed Town Hall the show started with the unforgettable notes of Sounds Of Silence coming from the speakers. The song one of my favourites was performed beautifully.

The show is as it says a story with both Simon and Garfunkel telling their story from humble beginnings in Queens New York to global stardom. As well as I knew the music there were parts of their I had not heard before, such as when they first started they called themselves Tom & Jerry and made one record “Hey, Schoolgirl” in 1957, played here to much applause.

They played the songs in a type of chronological order from the album release dates the first half of the show covering the albums Wednesday Morning 3AM, Sounds Of Silence and Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. The second half covering their 2 most successful albums Bookends and Bridge Over Troubled Water.

This is a terrific show for anybody who is a fan of the duo or just likes good music. The show ended with a standing ovation unsurprisingly, and this fan went home very happily remembering days gone by.

Chicago – Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chicago – Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre

Lichfield Garrick

Tuesday 17th September 2024 (Opening Night)

By : Nigel Gambles

Photographs : Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre

Disclaimer : Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review

I’ve see Chicago once before way back in 2001 with Alison Moyet and Denise Van Outen starring, so I knew that we were hopefully in for a musical treat. I was not wrong Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre knocked it out of the park.

Although this was the “Teen Edition” it lost none of its “Raz Ama Taz” and was full of “All That Jazz”

The show is the story of corruption in the legal system and the fickle nature of fame. It follows the tale of two “celebrity criminals” – Velma Kelly (Kathryn Whetter), a vaudeville star who murdered her sister and husband after catching them in bed together, and Roxie Hart (Beth Winspear), who abandoned her vaudeville dreams for stability with her husband Amos (James Williams), but shot her lover Fred Casely (Harry Rayson) for trying to abandon her. James performed a beautiful rendition of Mister Cellophane and Harrys was a short but shining performance.

Kathryn as Velma brought a magnetic sensuality to the role. Every moment she spent on stage, be it high-kicking, shoulder-shimmying or cartwheeling, the eye was drawn to her. Beth as Roxy similarly commanded the stage, her voice ringing out over the audience.

Matron “Mama” Morton (Grace Taylor) keeper of the keys introduces herself and reminds us all that she will do favours for favours in return via the song “When you’re good to mama” song power and gusto.

Zach Andrews as Billy Flynn, Roxie and Velma’s cunning, charismatic defense lawyer and master puppeteer of the press, gave a masterful performance.

Emerson Clarke Selby, who played the stereotypical sob sister reporter Mary Sunshine, was brilliant as camped up the role and brought a refreshing ray of her character’s namesake to the otherwise decidedly dark and cynical show.

The mental image of the show “Chicago” conjures a very distinct picture. and Sue Broad of the costume department worked hard to maintain that recognizable silhouette.

From the moment the curtain was raised they shimmied onto the stage and powered into a wonderfully energetic dance routine to “All That Jazz”. The Choreography was amazing the routines were perfectly performed and could have come from any west end stage full credit to Jessica Bennett. You can see that she has tried to stay true to Bob Fosse vision by incorporating some of the signature “Fossee” moves but always letting the unique spirit of this amazing youth group shine through.

With orchestra on a raised platform at the back of the stage and the atmospheric lighting and energetic performances by everybody  it felt like we were being transported back to a speakeasy in downtown Chicago.

Finally my review would not be complete without recognising director Richard Poynton’s creativity which fully complemented Jessica’s choreography and Olivers musical direction.

This is a production that really does Razzle Dazzle and deliver All That Jazz and fully deserved the standing ovation from the full house.

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time

Sutton Arts Theatre

Friday 13th September 2024

By : Nigel Gambles

Photographs : Olly Foster & Christopher Commander

Disclaimer : Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is a curious play very modern, fresh, and unique. I don’t think Ive seen anything else like it. After a little research I discovered that it has only just been released for amateur theatre groups and is an incredibly challenging play for any group. It requires incredible acting, perfect timing, and choreographed movements that are made to look random. It’s a brave group that take this on and thankfully, Sutton Arts Theatre are as always up for the challenge.

Basically this is a very human story told beautifully. This exceptional production requires lighting, sound and movement to create the confusion in the mind of our protagonist Christopher John Francis Boone aged 15, three months and two days. Christopher can tell no lies sees the world as he wants to and has meltdowns if he is touched or his world of order is threatened.

This is an emotional and physically demanding role which is handled in a quite stunning performance by Maxim Adderley who is totally believable in his portraying of the characters autistic condition.

The play is really an interpretation of the book Christopher has written, read by his teacher Siobahn from his special school. A superb performance by Liz Plumpton, she supports and guides Christopher perhaps closer to him than his father and dead mother, dead only to him. This really creates a play within a play.

Without wanting to disclose the whole plot of the show all I would say is, this is a show that would not look lost in any cities major theatre.

The ensemble cast, which also includes Anil Patel, Kieran Jenkins and Harriet Gordon, are on stage all the time, becoming shopkeepers, policemen, ticket office staff, drunks, vicars as well as crowds on busy streets, packed trains and tubes as well as inanimate objects such as tables, chairs and coat stands. It is all done perfectly with some precision choreography from Louisa Clark, Joanne James, Liz Plumpton and Emily Armstrong and superb skill from a well rehearsed cast.

A large moon dominates the rear of the stage, emphasising Christopher’s love bordering on obsession with space which also acts as a video screen with projections from Chris Commander and director Faye Hatch.

The set, from Mark Natrass and Faye Hatch again, is quite unique and simple It is a collection of pale coloured boxes on either side of the stage, which are seats for the cast and when they are part of the action, they move into the centre and then move back to the block, from where they started. This movement is smooth and utterly gorgeous to watch there is no hesitation, they know exactly whats going on. The cast move the cubes to become everything in the show they become two sides of a platform in a tube station in a heart stopping moment where Christopher jumps on the tracks to save his pet, they also become the seats on the train. and a number of another items.

Lighting design, from Going Dark Theatrical Services, sound and stylised movement all help to create the disconnect and disordered order of Christopher’s world in what is a magical production, beautifully acted by the 10 strong cast and wonderfully directed by Faye Hatch.

This is a story of a young boy with problems in a world he finds difficult to understand and come to terms with, his teacher is his friend and at times his protector. His parents are trying to do their best for him but not always getting in right.

Finally we have a show from a truly superb amateur group which is totally unmissable, I have spoken with members from other amateur groups who echo this and could not praise the production highly enough.

Running until 21/09/2024 Tickets from https://www.suttonartstheatre.co.uk/

Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac Tribute

Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
Friday 6th September 2024 By Lee Williams
Photography – Lee Williams Photography for Whats On In Sutton Coldfield

Go Your Own Way – Such an immersive and atmospheric show with the lead singer (as Stevie Nicks) deep in character.  Makes you realise just how many hits Fleetwood Mac had, and how many you know!  From foot tapping, guitars and bright lights to long sequence almost ‘prog-rock’ songs with a touch of folk, they sure did Fleetwood Mac proud.  The lighting and acoustics at the Town Hall really got the place alive and all who attended went away with smiles of their faces and songs playing in their heads!

The Opposite Sex – Lichfield Players

The Opposite Sex – Lichfield Players

Lichfield Garrick Studio

Tuesday 17th July 2024 – Opening Night

By Nigel Gambles

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review.

Lichfield Players latest production is a side-splitting adult comedy staged at Lichfield Garrick Theatre Studio.

The Opposite Sex, by David Tristram, revolves around the pasts of couples Mark and Vicky and Judith and Eric which come crashing back to haunt them. It soon transpires that Mark, played by Dickie Bannister-Lowe, and Judith, played by Niamh Mahon, share a past when Judith, an Avon lady, unexpectedly turns up at his and Vicky’s home.

The play revolves around a dinner party between the two couples, a meeting which could have made for a pleasant social evening, but once misfortune takes a hand it is not long before what should have been a social evening, turns into a social nightmare. The the air soon becomes thick with insults, black eyes and broken chins. Mark and Eric take an instant dislike to each other and deliver some cutting insults whilst Vicky, who believes a cheap bottle of wine has been bought by Mark when it was in fact Judith, creates even more tension. Tempers really start to fray when Eric begins insulting Judith in front of Mark, which makes him seethe with anger at the way she is treated by her husband.

As in all good farces the audience know exactly what is going on long before the characters which adds to the hilarious denouement.

A Pandora’s box unfolds, that once opened does not want to be closed, and the plot must run its hilarious course to its inevitable ending. This show has high production values complimented by an excellent set. Newcomer Lee Williams puts in a strong performance as Eric, and Sarah Stanley is consistent throughout as Vicky. Under the capable direction of Maureen George there are terrific performances by all four actors whose comic timing certainly paid off. This adult domestic comedy had the opening night audience in stitches from start to finish

Calendar Girls – Lichfield Operatic Society ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Calendar Girls – Lichfield Operatic Society

Lichfield Garrick

Tuesday 2nd July 2024 – Opening Night

By Nigel Gambles

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review.

In the Yorkshire village of Knapely live an extraordinary group of women. Wives, mothers, members of the local WI…not so extraordinary you might say. But every woman has a story to tell…right?

Calendar Girls written by Tim Firth, with music and lyrics by Gary Barlow gives a heart-warming and realistic glimpse into the true-life ladies who, in order to raise money for a hospital waiting room couch, raised enough money for an entire wing by posing naked for a calendar. Yes – you heard right! The ladies of the WI, those jam makers, and cake bakers, and knitters get their baps and bums out and it is cracking!

The curtains open on what I can only describe as a friendly set with rolling green hills, a blue sky and the sun blaring down on the pastoral scene – this is Yorkshire!. Some of the most poignant moments are played out centre stage with a stunning twilight lighting, using simple spot for emphasis. Coupled together, with the the stage! It is a specially-erected rotating stage, so that characters walk in to the middle of the stage and are ‘twirled’ round by the rotating mechanism. Act 1 takes the audience on an emotional rollercoaster, as the motivation for the nudie calendar is presented. Absolute respect to all of the ladies who disrobe in this production – the ’reveals’ as each member of the WI ladies has their photographs taken by highly-embarrassed hospital porter Lawrence (Jon Barakat) are extremely funny, and got some of the biggest laughs of the night, a massive well done to the female cast members who bared all for the cause, heroes all.

This musical, however, is much more than the “in the buff” scene for which it is famous; it is a tale of community which is presented well by the Director with lots of movement on the stage and many a hilarious exchange. John Clarke (James Pugh) opens the musical with an echoing a cappella before the stage is engulfed with activity. James plays the likeable and full-of-beans John with a real sensitivity as the leukaemia starts to take hold of him. James could have chosen to wear a bald skull cap to represent the results of his character’s chemotherapy but decided to have his hair, and beard, shaved off to raise money for his nominated charity, the Brain Tumour Charity, a very generous gesture. Following his death, his wife Annie (Kate Pilling), has to learn to live without her beloved “Clarkie” with the support of her WI friends. Some of the most moving solos are Kate’s and when her voice breaks with emotion in “Time Passing”, the audience can feel everything that Kate is giving to the ballad.

Annie’s best friend, Chris (Dawn Welch) is a force to be reckoned with. Fiercely loyal and full of “stupid ideas”, it is Chris’ idea to create the calendar. Dawn is wonderful. She powers up the stage whenever she is on it, but also shows a fragility in Chris’ concern over her pubescent son and her grieving friend. Dawn is able to show her range in this role and also her powerful singing voice. The family life presented by Chris, Rod (Greg Yates) and Danny (Ethan Bowley) is warm and comedic and shows contrast effectively during the split stage sequences where Annie is alone on the uncomfortable hospital sofa and the family carry on their lives at the flower shop. Greg, with his typical dad jokes, is a well needed supporting character, distracting from the pain of loss, and Ethan delights as the virginal, Head Boy wannabe. Indeed “Protect Me Less” sung with Jenny (Amy Adams) is one of the highlights for this reviewer. After the emotion of Act 1, watching two teens literally stick two fingers up at the world singing “do as I say not as I do” in response to parental control has the audience in stitches.

All of the WI main members are given their moment to tell their story, whether that’s glamourous Celia (Natalie Whittlesey), who’s so concerned that she doesn’t fit in with her husband’s golf buddies because of her former job – being an air hostess – and because they don’t like cleavage. Natalie delivers her one liners with excellent comic timing; “Beautiful’s here” being an unforgettable line when she enters the stage for the photo shoot. Cora (Heather Bustin) worries that she’s not given her son the best start in life as a single mum and is somewhat repressed by being a vicar’s daughter, and Jesse (Lynne Hill) is simply getting older, but her solo “What Age Expects” really resonates with a lot of the audience members as Lynne sings every word from the heart. Marie (Jenny Padley), as the more traditional head of the WI, struggles with the idea of the calendar, but her character arc allows her to release her fear, and sweet Ruth (Rebecca Bowley) has a hidden secret which is exposed in Act 2 as she emotionally sings “My Russian Friend and I”. Ruth finds strength she never knew she had, and watching her confidence at the end is joyful – this is what community and a stupid idea can do.

This is an outstanding show delivered passionately and professionally by the excellent cast and the superb production team of Adam Lacy Director, Charlotte Jervis Choreographer and David Easto Musical Director. The wonderfully atmospheric lighting was by Going Dark Theatrical Services. Finally full credit must be given to the behind the scenes team without whom this show would not be possible

Calendar Girls is truly uplifting and is an unmissable show. Ticket sales are very strong so if you can find a spare seat or two, I would definitely book them while you can.

Calendar Girls by the Lichfield Operatic Society runs at the Lichfield Garrick main auditorium until Saturday 6 July. The show starts at 7.30pm nightly, with a matinee on Saturday 6 July at 2.30pm. Tickets start from £24.00 and can be booked by ringing the Box Office on 01543 412121, by calling in to the Box Office on Castle Dyke, during normal opening hours, or online at:

www.lichfieldgarrick.com/whats-on/all-shows/calendar-girls-lichfield-operatic-society/3300

 

We Will Rock You – Script Youth Musical Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We Will Rock You (young@part) – Script Youth Musical Theatre Company

Highbury Theatre

Monday 1st July 2024– Dress Rehearsal

By Nigel Gambles

Photography – Studio 55 Photography

Script Youth Musical Theatre rocked back into Highbury Theatre for Queen & Ben Elton’s best selling jukebox musical “We Will Rock You (young@part)”

Directed by Louise Farmer, choreography by Molly Chamberlain & Maddie Fleming.

Set in the future on iPlanet where all musical instruments are banned, computers generate the music and everybody downloads it. This is a world where it is cool to conform, be compliant and live your life on the internet (sounds familiar), where rock music has been long forgotten. Ruled by Killer Queen played by Louise Heard who gives a fine performance. Enter Galileo our leading man played by Kian Haden who is plagued by dreams and memories of songs long gone, he joins forces with Scaramouche played brilliantly by Aimee Whillis who has a fantastic presence and wonderful vocals delivering a great version of Somebody To Love. Aimee & Kian also deliver some stunning duets, Under Pressure and Who Wants To Live For Ever bouncing off each other well.

Together they set off on a mission to discover the last surviving instrument aided in their quest by a motley crew of Bohemians including Oz and Brit played by Evie Rice and Sam McCormack, both have a wonderful stage presence and deliver lovely vocals in “I Want It All”. For me the highlight of the show was when Evie sang “No-One But You”…. stunning is all I can say and I bet there won’t be a dry eye in the house, this will be Evie’s last show after appearing in many shows previously, a stand out performance for me was Rizzo in Grease, we wish her well for the future and hopefully will see her performing with other companies.

The second half of the show is where the magic happens, the plot becomes secondary and the hits come thick and fast with classics like We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions and of course Bohemian Rhapsody.

Special mention to Ruby Edmonds playing Buddy wonderfully.

The wonderful lighting throughout the show is provided by Going Dark Theatrical Services

Credit must also be given to all the support team without whom the show would not be possible.

This show is pure entertainment and will have you on your feet clapping and singing along.

Calamity Jane – Tudor Musical Comedy Society ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Calamity Jane – Tudor Musical Comedy 

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Monday 24th June 2024 – Dress Rehearsal

By Nigel Gambles

Photography – Studio 55 Photography

My memories of Calamity Jane will be pretty much the same as most peoples, Doris Day in the movie of the same name. So I sat there and waited in anticipation. Saloon singers entered the stage and began with some well know numbers “She’ll Be Coming Round The Mountain” and “Home on the Range” to set the scene.

Calamity Jane, is rich and tuneful and contains many hits: The Deadwood Stage (Whip Crack Away), The Black Hills of Dakota, Just Blew In From The Windy City, A Woman’s Touch, My Love Is Higher Than A Hawk, and, of course, the Oscar winner, Secret Love. Its a wonderful score and I challenge you not to be singing along and tapping your feet after the first 10 minutes.

Full appreciation must be given to Suzanne Harris whose costumes are clever and present the types to be expected in the concept of America’s Wild West.

Ben Foulds is wry, laconic and incredibly laid back as Wild Bill Hickok. It is a performance of pure joy. He sings superbly throughout but his “My Love Is Higher Than A Hawk” is a genuine highlight and sets Act Two off beautifully. His rapport with Jonathan Blake’s Danny and Paula O’Hare’s Calamity is finely judged and ensures that the humour and the romance gets across. Jonathan is pitch perfect as Danny: the good looking Army man who knows he is good looking and expects the ladies to agree. Smart and smarmy, Jonathan’s Danny is the perfect foil for Wild Bill and the perfect objet of affection for Calamity. Alex Nash is equally perfect as Frances Fryer, and he brings a real sense of mischief, fun and subversiveness to his performance. He is incredibly musical and this shines through everything he does in remarkable and very satisfactory ways. He has a strong, true voice and every moment he is on stage is joyful.

Vanessa Blake is a delight as Katie Brown, the girl who would be a star. Her transition from scared wannabe to accomplished Deadwood diva is skilfully achieved. Her vocals in A Woman’s Touch are absolutely delicious. She has a gorgeous voice and real star appeal.

There is excellent work throughout the show from Maurice Buxton (Rattlesnake), Elizabeth Kirk (Joe), Alex Tuckwell (Hank). All provide colour, texture and interesting character work.

In the title role, Paula is well cast (although surprisingly not a blonde), and gives her all. Calamity is a part for a pretty woman who can successfully convince as a possible man; a true tomboy who can turn Princess. Paula has an easy, broad comic style, and she can punctuate jokes with aplomb, either with a deft double-take or a hard look or a nicely delivered line. Vocally, she is in good form. Her voice is as clear as a bell, especially in the number where she introduces the townsfolk: The Deadwood Stage. Her vocals in her duets with Bill and Katie were great, and those two songs were real treats.

She sings “Just Blew In From The Windy City” with vivacious determination and leads the cast in a great romp of a number which is the true highpoint of the production. Secret Love is not the peak musical moment it could be, but that is not to say Paula does not do it justice. She does.

This is a theatrical treat: a good, old fashioned musical done in a new fangled way. It’s great to hear such good songs so well sung by a cast that are truly enjoying performing. Their shear enthusiasm shines through

The band were very competent under the direction of Andrew Timmins and delivered a rousing score. Full credit to Choreographer Jenny Ashhurst and dance captain Beth Davies who delivered some fabulous dance scenes. Last but not least Director Elliot Beech  whose directorial debut this was and he certainly delivered.

For tickets click the link 👉 https://tudormcs.uk/box-office/

Bonnie & Clyde – Sutton Arts Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bonnie & Clyde – Sutton Arts Theatre

Sutton Arts Theatre

Thursday 20th June 2024 – Opening Night

By Nigel Gambles

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review.

Before I begin, I have to say that unbelievably this was my first visit to Sutton Arts Theatre and it will not be my last. What a wonderful venue. It may not be as large as others but it has a wonderful friendly feeling.

Also this is my first time seeing Bonnie and Clyde so I was wondering how they would transpose this story to the stage.

The tale of Bonnie and Clyde is one that is fast paced, spanning a few short years, before they faced their end. The incredible songbook by Don Black and Frank Wildhorn truly made the show nothing short of spectacular

This is a dramatic retelling of the infamous story of star-crossed lovers turned ruthless outlaws on the run. While Bonnie dreams of magazine covers and stardom, Clyde fantasizes about a life of crime and driving getaway cars. When the unlikely pair fall madly in love, they embark on a journey of becoming front-page news as gun-toting criminals, as they flee the long arm of the law. Along with Clyde’s slightly more reluctant brother Buck and his god-fearing wife Blanche, the Barrow gang become some of America’s most notorious thieves and murderers, increasingly sought after by the Sheriff’s department and hurtling towards a sticky end. As the cops draw in, both Bonnie and Clyde are content with reaching their bitter end and how they lived their lives together.

The production leans into its heavily stylised 1920’s setting, both physically and audibly. The music is a real strong point, with gorgeous speak-easy style melodies combined with tongue-in-cheek lyrics about love and crime. Bonnie’s stand out ballad “Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad” in the second act, the softness and warmth of the song makes you almost want to root for this criminal duo. Clyde’s “Raise Some Hell” is incredibly powerful and shows you just how far he is willing to go to be remembered. Each song seemed to sweep you away into the roaring 20’s and the applause from the audience seemed to cement that fact and earn plenty of commendation from the audience. The set design is interesting to say the least, its really quite bare with minimal props, but the use of screens and projection helps to fill out the stage. This all helped by the very atmospheric lighting by Going Dark Theatrical Services

The stand out performances inevitably come from the brilliantly cast leads, Sophie McCoy as Bonnie and Tom Cooper as Clyde. Sophie makes the role her own. Every bit of sass, confidence, and sultriness as she needs put into this femme fatale. Tom is a powerhouse, producing a gritty yet loveable rogue. Neither of them put a foot wrong vocally, and their voices are stunning, both as a duo and individually. They have undeniable chemistry, drawing us in from their first meeting to their last breaths.

Janine Henderson is suitably frustrated as the increasingly desperate Blanche, while Dan McCloskey gives both a powerful and skulking interpretation of loyal brother ‘Buck’ Barrow.

Olly Foster and Paul Atkins lead a fabulous ensemble with some jaw-dropping vocals as the Deputy and Preacher respectively.

Bonnie & Clyde is a show that raises hell and leaves you remembering the story of this iconic killer duo. It puts what we have learnt in stories and books onto a stage to a killer soundtrack that everyone will be singing for days after

Emily Armstrong as the director of this show should be extremely proud as this is certainly a production that could be put on in the West End. Nick Allen, the musical director ensures that the orchestra give their all to wonderful effect

For Tickets click the link 👉 https://suttonartstheatre.savoysystems.co.uk/SuttonArtsTheatre.dll/

Shrek -Trinity Players ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Shrek – Trinity Players

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Tuesday 4th June 2024 – Dress Rehearsal

By Nigel Gambles

Photography – Lee Williams Photography

The musical is based on the film, Shrek, with music and lyrics written by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori.  Shrek the ogre finds himself on a life changing journey, accompanied by a wisecracking Donkey, to rescue the feisty Princess Fiona from her tower.  All the characters are here, including Gingy, Pinocchio, the three blind mice, Dragon and of course that ‘short’ tempered baddie, Lord Farquaad.

In true tradition, the show starts at the very beginning with us seeing the 7 year olds, Young Shrek and Princess Fiona being abandoned by their parents – bit cruel – but never fear, as in all fairytales we know there’s going to be a happy ending, right?

Young Shrek is nicely played by Lexi Roberts and Young Fiona is beautifully played by Eliza Bullock who has terrific vocals (Nicole Bradbury also plays this role in other performances). Also, little shout out to Erin Freeman & Isobel Clinton as Teen Fiona (in different performances) who prove that there’s no such thing as a small part.

The Trinity Players ensemble really comes into its own with the portrayal of fabulous fairytale characters with Pinocchio, Gingy, the Three Little Pigs and the Three Blind Mice (Charlotte Askew, Robyn Klein-Cristoffels, Rachel Tucker, James Thomas,Tina Romano, Leigh-Ann James, Amy Homer, Deanne Brown) all making their mark and huge credit must go to the Make Up Artists who have done such great work here. The set looks great and costumes all look spellbindingly wonderful. Story of My Life is a great number for all the characters to shine with some lovely choreography. Freak Flag is another great ensemble number with plenty of laughs.

Shrek, of course, is the larger than life star of the show and Tom Wells completely owns this part. His sidekick, Donkey, is probably best known from the film version of Shrek for the voice talents of Eddie Murphy and Ravin Thakrar gives as good as he gets from his portrayal of the annoyingly hyper-active, pain-in-the-butt travel companion. Rebecca Perry grabs the role of the feisty Princess Fiona with gusto and really shows off her comedic talents, not least in the scene with Shrek where they have a burp/fart off competition.  I mean, who doesn’t love a fart gag?  Her Morning Person number also gave us lots of laughs.

There are some great stand out performances from the rest of the cast, and Sammi Kelly-Griggs was a super sassy, sexy and soulful sensation as Dragon, however, scene stealer of the night has to go to Dan McCloskey who completely embodies the part of vain and arrogant, Lord Farquaad.  In a brilliant display of character acting, Dan takes on this role with absolute glee and with all the complications that must entail with playing such a physical role, really nailed it. The What’s Up Duloc number is just an hilarious delight.

Finally full credit must be giving to the production team (Director Richard McNally-Reilly, Producer Lewis Wescott, Choreographer Leigh-Ann James and Musical Director Peter Bushby) who have definitely worked their magic to make this such a professional and enjoyable show.

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