Category: Theatre

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.

Kinky Boots – Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kinky Boots – Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company

Lichfield Garrick Theatre

Monday 20th May 2024 – Dress Rehearsal

By Nigel Gambles

Photography – Studio 55 Photography

Ever since Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company (SCMTC) announced they were taking on the production of ‘Kinky Boots’, I have really been looking forward to it (I’ve never seen it before). Following their superb ‘Shrek’ last year, I was sure that the audience were in for something special with this feel-good story from the pen of Tim Firth – and I was definitely not disappointed.

The story tells the tale of Charlie Price who is thrust into the running and ownership of his family’s shoe business – Price and Co following the unexpected death of his father. Unbeknown to him, the company is not doing well and a chance meeting with a drag queen Lola puts the seed of an idea in Charlie’s mind about how he may revive the company’s fortunes and save the jobs of the workers.

Patrick Jervis and Daniel Surj are outstanding in the roles of Charlie Price and Lola aka Simon and they both sing the roles with heart, honesty, and warmth. The nuances that they bring to the roles is not to be underestimated, this takes significant acting skill. Charlie battles his own demons and Patrick captures this sensitively with his acting and singing performances. It is very easy to overdo the role of Lola down to the cross-dressing element – and to play it for laughs. Daniel brings the sassy, comedic warmth to the character while maintaining the sense of torment and resentment Simon carries with him from the rejection he got from his father as a younger man. Charlotte Jervis also gave a brilliant performance of Lauren, and really embodied her character and her performance of ‘Wrong Guys’ was fantastic and had the audience in stitches as the loved-up worker chased after Charlie.

Kerrie Penrice as director in her first production for SCMTC draws on her experience directing for the youth company to bring the story to the audience and the show stopping dance numbers choreographed by Maggie Jackson are superb. Land of Lola and the finale of act one are as accomplished as any professional production that I have seen.

The set, costumes and props are all appropriate and would not look out of place in a touring production.The lighting by Going DarkTheatrical Services is glitzy and glamourous as it should be when appropriate.

There is not a weak link in this performance from the two boys who played the younger incarnations of Charlie (Ewan Tall) and Simon (Joe Thomas) alongside Mr Price Sr (John Johnson) and Simon’s Dad (Mark Wright) through all the magnificent angels including all the factory workers. Particular praise goes to Paul Lumsden who performed the unenviable role of roughty toughty straight man, Don, and Sarah Jordan in her role as the equally unlikeable Nicola.

The night ended with the entire cast wearing the iconic kinky boots and strutting their stuff

The performance would not be complete without the superb orchestra who were outstanding and brilliant, Musical Director Sheila Pearson and Musical Director/Conductor Andy Timmins.

Anything Goes – Manor Musical Theatre Company ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Anything Goes – Manor Musical Theatre Company
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
Tuesday 7th May 2024 – Dress Rehearsal
By Nigel Gambles
Photography – Studio 55 Photography

Manor Musical Theatre Company have done themselves proud. Anything Goes, this year’s production of choice is a superb showcase of rich talent and enduring passion. Overseen by the Directors, Pam & James Garrington,  the production is confident, powerful and brimming with enthusiasm and joy.

It is also packed with transporting, clever Porter classics: I Get a Kick Out of You; You’re the Top; It’s De-Lovely.

Set on an ocean liner the SS American, bound from New York to London, Anything Goes follows the madcap antics of those on board. Central is Billy Crocker, a charming young stowaway who has fallen in love with wealthy heiress Hope Harcourt (played by Sasha Barnes), who is already engaged to an English aristocrat Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (played by Matt Cotter). Crocker is played expertly by Dan Barnes, while Leigh-Ann James effortlessly embodies Reno Sweeney, a nightclub singer who assists Billy in his bid to win Hope’s heart.

Paul Wescott as public enemy number 13 – Moonface Martin showing his  comic side gives an easygoing, shoulder-rolling, soft-shoe-shuffling performance as low-league criminal Moonface Martin that reminds you what a pro he is. His duet with Leigh- Ann James on the song Friendship is a playful delight

Sasha Barnes provides an outstanding rendition of Harcourt. Her acting style is sensitive, congenial and expressive, providing her scenes with sophistication and warmth. Dan Barnes’s rendition of Crocker is rich with boyish charm and a strong sense of fun.

Sarah Watts is a sultry Erma , who is having a ball playing the ships sailors  off against one another for her hand in marriage, while also warning them that she is not easily pleased. Sarah is  amusing, endearing and unsettling in her command of young men’s hearts.

Also strong is Paul Stewart, playing the Ship’s Captain, his performance is very assured. Mary Singh, who plays the Ship’s Purser, offering a comedic and charismatic performance.

But the best songs and the biggest moments belong to Leigh-Ann James as Reno and she knocks them out the park

While the acting quality is compelling across the whole cast, this is a musical, and the musical facet of this production is exquisite thanks to musical director Peter Bushby. The orchestra lays on melodious accompaniment throughout, which makes the actors’ and actresses’ performances shine all the more. Sound and lighting move in tandem with the onrushing of the plot, guiding the production from each set-piece scene to the next. The setting of an ocean liner is great in its design, owing to the diligent work of stage manager Lewis Wescott and the back stage team

Perhaps most striking in this production is the use of dance, choreographed skillfully by Isabelle Larkin. The professionalism and passion each cast member demonstrates is truly stirring, with evident care made to ensure a smooth run. Each radiant scene glides into the next, moving with water’s easy tread and supple fluidity. The dancing scenes are elegant, and subtle yet profound – they are in their execution quite simply excellent.

EVERYBODY SAY ‘YEAH’ AS COMEDY MUSICAL BASED ON REAL EVENTS SASHAYS TO STAFFORDSHIRE

Are you ready? Something fabulous to ‘raise you up’ is strutting its way to Lichfield – Kinky Boots, the musical!

Based on the Miramax film of the same name – which, in-turn, is based on the true story of how a drag performer helped transform the fortunes of a failing Northamptonshire shoe factory – this sparkling comedy musical comes to Lichfield Garrick Theatre for just one week next month.

With music by, 80s pop favourite, Cyndi Lauper, written by Tim Firth (The Full Monty, Calendar Girls, among others) with Geoff Deane, and book by, Tony Award winning actor and playwright, Harvey Fierstein, the show heralds Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company’s (SCMTC) return to the Garrick, following last year’s success with Shrek the Musical.

The show is directed by Kerrie Penrice who has long been a part of SCMTC taking on multiple leading roles. She also directed its youth company’s award-nominated production of Peter Pan a Musical Adventure.

Now the award-winning company – which celebrated its 90th anniversary last year – is proud to have Kerrie at the helm for this utterly glamorous, fun, and heart-warming offering.

Kerrie said: “Kinky Boots is a delight from start to finish, so I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to direct this show. From the curtain raising through to the last moment, expect glitz, glamour, larger-than-life characters with costumes to match, pathos and heartfelt human emotion, stemming from a real story of ordinary people who did something extraordinary.

“I know this show will have audiences up on their feet dancing, singing along and crying with both laughter and a little sadness before leaving feeling truly uplifted. Kinky Boots really is an all-round feel-good show that audiences will love – and it comes with a troop of dancing drag queens to ‘BOOT’! What’s not to like?”

Kerrie is joined on the production team for this show by SCMTC’s stalwart choreographer, Maggie Jackson, and musical director, Sheila Pearson; both of whom have an extensive track-record of bringing together vibrant song and dance routines for the company. Of course, Kinky Boots is no different!

So, don’t delay, get those Kinky Boots on and march on down to Lichfield Garrick to catch this uplifting and hilarious show from 21-25 May.

Tickets are available online at www.lichfieldgarrick.com or via the Lichfield Garrick box office by phoning 01543 412121.

Calamity Jane – Tudor Musical Comedy Society

We are thrilled to announce that following in the footsteps of our award winning production of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”  that we are bringing “Calamity Jane” to the historic Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall on Tuesday 25th – Saturday 29th June 2024. We are then so proud that we have been given the opportunity to bring the magical musical “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” to the Town Hall in mid March 2025.
I couldn’t be prouder of the cast for all they are doing. They truly are such an incredibly talented group of individuals.
TMCS pride ourselves on being an inclusive society – we have members from all walks or life from all different backgrounds. We do not discriminate and have a key focus on family.
We also pride ourselves on giving back to the community when able to do so, we recently did this attending two care homes last week (one article from that day is here:https://lisieuxtrust.org.uk/theatre-comes-to-the-trust/), we have another two homes lined up in May.
It is off the back of this that I couldn’t be happier to welcome back Rebecca Palmer as our BSL (British Sign Language) performer on Thursday 27th June 2024! It means the world to us that we are able to offer these opportunities and give experiences to audience members that are not able to readily access these as they should.
Tickets are currently available at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/tmcs.
For tickets specifically reserved for the deaf and hard of hearing we are asking individuals to contact 07842 214631 (text/whatsapp etc).

Les Miserables – Sutton Coldfield Musical Youth Theatre ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Les Miserables (School Edition) – Sutton Coldfield Musical Youth Theatre
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
Monday 19th February 2024 – Dress Rehearsal
By Nigel Gambles
Photography – Studio 55 Photography

After their acclaimed and highly successful production of “Legally Blonde” Sutton Coldfield Musical Youth Theatre are back, and are taking on the epic Les Miserables following approximately seven months of rehearsals they had their opening night on Tuesday 20th February

This hard-working and enthusiastic youth company guided by director Georgia Young and her team seamlessly created the various groups of nineteenth-century French folk that ex-con Jean Valjean encounters on his harrowing journey in an unjust world. As convicts they shuffled around, shoulders slumped forward. This made for a stark contrast to the commanding, upright posture of the guards. As fighting factory workers, they whole-heartedly embodied the hand-to-mouth existence of the poor. As bedraggled prostitutes; spirited students; inebriated inn drinkers and other disparate characters the ensemble took every dramatic moment in their stride, displaying the vigour and versatility that Les Mis demands.

It was a real pleasure to hear these people sing! The whole Company pulled together to belt out the rousing group numbers and there were some stunning solos from the many main players too. Les Misérables is known and loved for its pounding anthems and stirring reflective lyrics so it was a real treat for the (very appreciative) audience that each and every song from the unforgettable score was well performed.

Ethan Bowleys’ portrayal of Jean Valjean’s fight for salvation was passionate and pitch-perfect. Relentlessly pursued by the police inspector Javert played by Ethyn James, Jean Valjean is a complicated character who is constantly evolving. Introduced to us as a jaded criminal, he becomes an industrialist; a hero; a father; a soldier. Unlike other characters who age during the course of the narrative, Jean Valjean is played by the same actor throughout. Fittingly, Ethan’s powerful performance matured accordingly – and convincingly.

Anamae Parkes was a terrifically tragic Fantine. Her haunting rendition of ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ was beautiful. Every note communicated the sorrow, despair and humiliation Fantine experiences as a troubled, down-trodden grisette.*

All the misery was wonderfully countered by the atrocious antics of Oscar Ralley and Ella Clarke as the corrupt innkeeper Thénardier and his wife, Madame Thénardier. Superb comic timing and synchronicity ensured this pair were despicably delightful as the malevolent and provocative chancers.

Becky Hanratty as Eponine had a voice straight off a cast recording. Toby Foetu-Foster had wonderful excitement and passion as Marius. His onstage ladylove, Cosette, played by Neve Matthews, had a voice as sweet and as clear.

Finally this review would not be complete without highlighting the passion, enthusiasm and total commitment of director Georgia Young, choreographer Esme Wade and Musical director Emily Beaman whose creative brilliance brought the show to life.

Full credit must also be given to all the back of house team who worked tirelessly to ensure the stage was always set.

* French working class girls

Showaddywaddy 50th Anniversary Tour

Showaddywaddy 50th Anniversary Tour
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
Saturday 17th February 2024
By Nigel Gambles
Photography – Studio 55 Photography for What’s On In Sutton Coldfield

In their iconic Teddy-boy style suits hit the stage at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall with energy and enthusiasm and proceeded to entertain the sell out crowd with an endless jukebox of classic hits accompanied with vivacious choreography.

They certainly rocked the Town hall last night with some fantastic showmanship from Andy Pelos and Billy Shannon it was wonderful to watch.

What was lovely to see was Romeo Challenger the only original member of the band still performing brilliantly and enjoying every minute.

Billed as one of the greatest Rock n Roll bands they did not fail to deliver an excellent set including their chart hits and provide some great entertainment for everyone there.

Elvis – The Ultimate Experience

Elvis – The Ultimate Experience
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
Friday 16th February 2024 By Nigel Gambles
Photography – Lee Williams Photography for Whats On In Sutton Coldfield

Multi Award winning Elvis tribute artiste Ben Thompson returned to Sutton Coldfield Town Hall for another sell out show, with some new costumes and even more songs from Elvis back catalogue we knew we were in for a fantastic night.

Accompanied by a full live band Ben started with Elvis early days  arriving on stage in a resplendent pink jacket and dived straight into a selection of the old classics “All Shook Up” , “Don’t Be Cruel” and more we were then treated to Elvis in uniform “GI Blues” style

After the break we hit the Las Vegas days with Ben in a couple of amazing outfits made for him in America bringing us classics like “CC Rider” “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” and Can’t Help Falling In Love”

You can certainly see why he is one of the best tribute acts in the country at the moment. If you love Elvis and get the chance to see this show then don’t miss out because you will be “Moody Blue”

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