Category: Brett Herriot Review

“A Gothic Masterpiece that touches the soul!”

***** 5 Stars

The master of Gothic inspired cinema Tim Burton’s beloved modern classic Edward Scissorhands came to cinema screens thirty four years ago in 1990 and would enchant a generation thanks to Burton’s powerful storytelling and Composer Danny Elfman’s career defining score. 15 year later in 2005 the legendary choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne reinterpreted the film into a modern dance classic that would wow audiences at London’s Sadler’s Well  before charming the world. The production returns for its third UK Tour and it sparkles as brightly as ever, it’s truly Gothic masterpiece that touches the soul!

Bourne’s acclaimed New Adventures company have ensured the plot from the movie original is fully intact despite not one line of dialog being used in the production, this is due the beauty of Bourne’s elegant, emotionally fluid and often beguiling choreography performed by a sublime 25 strong ensemble each of whom shine equally brightly for their physical ability in modern dance. None more so than Liam Mower (he alternates the lead with Stephen Murray) as Edward a true leading man in every sense of the word, his ability to grasp the wonderment of the character exploring the world around him is utterly beguiling to watch.  Moving from comedy to raw emotion in a physical exploration that’s a true triumph from Mower.

Credit must also go to Bourne’s and co adapter Caroline Thompson clever use of ensemble character which despite the 1950’s setting features a same sex couple with a child, giving the show an extra resonance of diversity that proves theatre and dance especially are the last uncensored space.

Production wise this is a pure five star affair, Lez Brotherston’s production and costume design is rightly award winning adding both class to the show and drawing the audience into the gothic world of Edward and this is bolstered by Howard Harrison triumphant lighting design that captures both the darkness and the Technicolor world the show journeys through. Lighting is further enhanced with Duncan McLean’s clever projection design. Paul Groothus sounds design is pitch perfect, ensuring every note of Terry Davies new music and arrangements, based on the original Danny Elfman score touches the audience with its radiance.

Bourne’s work is often maligned by ballet purest for its lack of classical ballet content and structure and Edward Scissorhands really pushes this element, for its not ballet, it never intended to be, this is a dance company which embraces a new generation and seeks to bring that generation into the heart of dance, how its physicality can touch us in the most uniquely special of ways and boy do they succeed.

Edward Scissorhands is everything you could want from a night a the theatre and so much more, do what you must to snap up a ticket, then let the journey of the misunderstood man his story touch your heart as you rediscover the power of brilliant modern dance. Unmissable!

Edward Scissorhands, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Runs until Saturday 18^th May, for tickets and info go to: Edward Scissorhands (capitaltheatres.com)

“Spooktacular performances abound!”

**** 4 Stars

Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Fester, Pugsley, Grandma and Lurch are the Addams Family who remarkably first entered the cultural landscape in 1938 and thanks to the classic 60’s TV series, major motion pictures and finally in 2010 the multi award winning musical adaptation which debuted on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

With music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice the musical takes us into the heart of the Addams family especially Gomez, a faultless and stylish performance from Sean Quinn, who is trapped between the confrontation and the love he has for his wife Morticia, A beguiling turn from Chanel Turner-Ross, and his daughter Wednesday, the undoubted star of the show in a magical performance from Lindsay MacLaren.

Its tale about understanding, growing up and the power of love to bring even the kookiest of families together and ultimately the triumph of the human condition to achieve what the heart desires. Thanks to Rickman and Elice fabulously written booked it brought something truly fresh to the genre of musical theatre and now acclaimed local company Edinburgh Music Theatre bring the show to the stage for a week’s run at the church hill theatre in a production in which Spooktacular performances abound!.

Performances from both principals and ensemble are universally excellent, Director Niall King has got under the skin of the script and give it an even quirkier twist adding a few adlibs and comedy quips that bring the show up to date. He also ensures every member of the 40 strong cast have a moment to shine with special mention going to all the leads but especially MacLaren’s “Wednesday” who gives an utterly thrilling performance of the song “Pulled” that has the audience gasping with its execution. Ian McKenna also turns in an inspiring performance as Uncle Fester who acts as the shows narrator but also can lay claim to being the shows true heart. Comedy also comes from Sarah-Louise Donnelly as Alice Beinke who releases her inner vamp to reclaim her youth in a joyous turn and makes each moment on stage count.

The large ensemble plays a range of ancestors from a dead matador to Elvis who appears to be performing live from the crypt so to speak and thanks to Ashleigh Le Cras stunning chorography they bring additional polish and style to a show which sparks with energy.

Production wise it’s mostly a triumph too, with Charlie Johnson-Walker up cycling a set from Falkirk Youth Theatre to great effect and delivers the faded glory of the Addams mansion to the stage which is enhanced by Jacob Henney evocative lighting design. Rhys Tuner’s sound design really brings musical director Rob Stewardson and his nine strong pit band to life and the balance between pit and stage is perfect. However there are far too many missed cues on the cast microphones with an exceptional amount of lines being missed or being inaudible to the audience which is a shame as a show of this quality needs that extra polish to lift it to five stars.

One element that is five stars comes from Lauren McAnna’s exquisite costume design; it really is a work of art on its own and provides the true cherry on the cake for a musical which mixes all the key ingredients to almost pure perfection.

From the moment the curtain rises to that all too familiar clickity click theme tune EMT deliver everything you can ask from a musical the appeals to the whole family, and given how popular a title the show is they also make it their own which is a real achievement.

EMT’s The Addams Family makes for the perfect night of musical theatre fun and you will give yourself a real fright if you don’t grab the few ghostly tickets that remain so what you waiting for! Head for the Addams mansion at the Church Hill theatre now!

EMT Presents: the Addams Family, Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh, Runs until Saturday 13^th April, for tickets and info go to: Edinburgh Music Theatre event tickets from TicketSource.

“Spine tingling vocals that touch the heart”

**** 4 Stars

Edinburgh Fringe Stalwarts BBD Productions have enjoyed critical and commercial success with their “Divas” concerts which bring together the cream of female and non binary talent to the heart of the festival in late night concert reviews that bring the quality of the west end mixed with the legendary New York supper clubs making them a firm favourite for their audiences who have taken the show to their hearts.

Diva’s are now reaching beyond the realms of the festival season having launch a serious of monthly fundraising performances at Dirty Martini with the April show raising money for Maggies charity. Four sublime Diva’s Rachel White, Georgia Fordyce, Halla Eaglesham and Danielle Logan take to the stage to deliver near two hours of spine tingling vocals that touch the heart.

The performance features a plethora of songs drawn from musical theatre, film classic and pop icons. Each of the four ladies get there moment to shine in the spotlight, whilst also supporting each other on the duets and with the backing vocals across the show.

Particular highlights include a thrilling medley from the queen of country Dolly Parton that sets the evening off to a great pace. Eaglesham and Fordyce duet on a marvellously moving mash up of “Happy days are here again/ Get Happy” they would truly have made Judy Garland proud. Rachel White delivers an emotional tribute to Tina Turner with a ballad rendition of “Simply the Best” with Danielle Logan giving real power to “Heart of Stone”.

At the opening of Act two the ladies are joined by special guest star Becky Bryant who is currently in Edinburgh with the UK tour of Pretty Woman the Musical. Bryant adds real west end polish to the evening with her trio of songs that showcase her voice in all its glory and she holds the audience in the palm of her hands. Utterly wonderful to watch.

Over all Divas does what it does incredibly well however on this particular occasion the set list was very ballad heavy with songs which normally are up tempo are being slowed down.  While these do showcase the incredible vocals of all the performers there has to be light amongst the shade so a few more up tempo song choices wouldn’t have gone amiss.

 That being said this was a stylish evening of music that delivered true value for money whilst raising much needed funds for a charity close the Diva’s hearts. BBD productions have confirmed that the next monthly concert will take place in May plus the exciting news these ladies are preparing to return to the Fringe for this year’s seasons we can all expect big things from this gifted and talented company of singing stars.

Pretty Woman the Musical Edinburgh Playhouse, Runs Ended

Monthly residence continues at Dirty Martini at Le Monde.

“ a pretty Good Night Out!”

**** 4 Stars

Its staggering to think the motion picture of  Pretty Woman was released thirty four years ago back in 1990, a romantic comedy which  launched Richard Gear and the gorgeous Julia Roberts to true Hollywood star status and the movie itself would go on to be beloved by a generation.

In 2014 legendary theatre/film director and producer, the late Garry Marshall began work on the musical stage adaptation with it eventually debuting in Chicago in 2018 prior to a transfer to Broadway. The production was so successful it moved to London’s west end in 2020 opening at the Piccadilly Theatre and following a brief Covid enforced hiatus would reach its full success after its transfer to the Savoy Theatre. It’s that production which is now on its first UK tour and calls at the Edinburgh Playhouse for a two week run and delivers a pretty good night out filled with musical fun!

Pretty Woman the musical with music and lyrics by Bryan Adams (yes the Canadian rock god himself) and Jim Vallance with book by Gary Marshall and J.F Leyton retains the entire story of the original movie but infuses it with a catchy 80’s soft rock score that truly explores the female human spirit as Vivian Ward (a brilliantly polished performance with big vocals from Amber Davies) a Hollywood Hooker who falls for Edward Lewis (The gorgeous Oliver Savile, who delivers a honey soaked vocal performance) the rich businessman who ultimately loses his heart after seeing beyond the sex worker to the heart of the girl before him. It a story that has the empowerment of Vivian Ward at its centre and delivers a life affirming feeling to the audience due to the fact it never takes itself overly serious and embraces the vibrant 80’s score of its music.

Performances are uniformly excellent, especially the leads both Davies and Lewis deliver in spades but the tour de force comes from Ore Oduba in the roles of Happy Man/ Mr Thompson who is effectively the narrator of the show with a whirl wind of comedy skits thrown in and Oduba shows his talent brilliantly and even gets a cheeky nod to his Strictly Come Dancing credentials. The ensemble shine equally but special mention has to go Noah Harrison in the role of Giulio the bell boy, he brings a true sense of charm and wonderful dance style that catches the eye and lends the show that little bit of extra sparkle.

Production wise it’s a mixed bag, the book especially in act 1 is clunky and the false end to the first act is obvious but the show really gathers pace in act 2 where the meat of the action can be found. David Rockwell scenic design invokes Hollywood but the set looks tiny on the playhouse stage, a common problem for many touring productions these days, the playhouse stage is swathed in far too much black cloth in order to bring the set in. However what they do have works really well especially under Kenneth Posner and Philips S Rosenberg’s sumptuous lighting design, which also ensures Tom Rogers costume design sparkles in all its 80s glory and includes those iconic black thigh high stiletto boots!. John Shivers sound design is good especially for Musical director Griff Johnson and his six strong pit band. However too many microphone cues were missed on press night but these are the little niggles that will soon smooth themselves out. Director and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell has delivered a well rounded and engaging night of musical theatre that succeeds due to the fact the movie plot hasn’t been sacrificed and is rightly aimed at more adult audience which makes for a refreshing change.

Throughout the show the title song is teased, Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” and what better way to bring the curtain down on this pretty good musical than the audience on their feet joining in for a sing along and it certainly gives extra value for the ticket price. So why not head along to the Playhouse for a fun filled evening with Pretty Woman the Musical!

Pretty Woman the Musical Edinburgh Playhouse, Runs until Saturday 13th 2024 for tickets go to: Pretty Woman The Musical Tickets | Edinburgh Playhouse in Edinburgh | ATG Tickets

The production continues to tour the UK.

**** 4 Stars

“Celebrates the Power of Musical Theatre”

Ten years ago, Glasgow Philharmonia teamed up with producer and musical director/conductor Ross Gunning to give emerging musical theatre talent from across Glasgow and the West Coast the chance to shine under those bright lights irrespective of background or financial status. The objective to mix that emerging talent with true stars of the West End and Broadway and celebrate the power of musical theatre. 

Over the course of the following decade Movies to Musicals would go on to sell out Glasgow City Halls, The Theatre Royal and even see this talent company the stage of the London Palladium. Now it’s time celebrate all that’s good from the last ten years in a one-off mega concert at the giant SEC Armadillo and what a treat it was!

A fifty-six strong ensemble company, joined by a twenty-three-member orchestra under the baton of Gunning himself, also backed by the one hundred strong Rock Choir who deliver powerhouse vocals with the show being led by six of the best leading stars from across musical theatre, John Owen Jones, Kerry Ellis, Sabrina Carter, Paul Tabone and Lucy Kay.

For nearly three hours the audience were treated to a selection of the company’s greatest hits, new material intercut with pre-recorded video reflecting the journey the company has taken across the years as well as their hopes for the future.

Highlights included Last Night of the world (Miss Saigon) which Ellis and Owen Jones delivered in a high polished and beguiling style. John Owen Jones would return to prove just why he is one the greatest phantom to ever take the stage with a thrilling performance of “Music of the night”. Tributes to Aladdin the musical, Stomp and We Will Rock You were inventive as they were entertaining. The entire show reflected the passion from all concerned.

Production wise it was of a mixed affair, Christy Bullock-Walker and Rebecca Curbelo-Valdivia’s Choreography delivered in spades mixing the most of every inch of the Armadillo’s large stage, which considering there were one hundred choir singers plus sizable orchestra is a remarkable achievement. Kieran Kenny’s lighting design was the perfect mix of intimate moments and stadium sparkle that brought the show to life. This was further enhanced by Gillian Dougall and Lindsey Reid’s excellent costume design with costumes pitched perfectly across the various musical styles across the show. The sound design (uncredited) alas was the downfall and not up to the standards this talented company deserved. Too often mics had sound issues and worse on a couple of occasions didn’t come on at all with one young performer showing her talent by projecting to the back of the massive house of the armadillo and all the power to her a remarkable feat indeed.

Movies to Musicals: 10^th Anniversary was a fitting celebration for the company and marked a transitional point as the company moves forward, it’s clear with such a breath of talent at their disposal and with many more young people joining there ranks the future is very bright indeed. This is one company who know how to put on a spectacle and the work starts now on show number eleven! And we can’t wait to see what they come up with, wonderful stuff indeed. 

Movies to Musicals, Sec Armadillo, Glasgow Run Ended.