Category: Brett Herriot Review

***** (5 Stars)

“An Intoxicating Delight!”

The Broadway and West End smash hit Moulin Rouge! The musical embarks on its first world tour with a debut season at the Edinburgh Playhouse. Based on Baz Luhrmann’s acclaimed 2001 motion picture taking audiences into the heart of the great Moulin Rouge cabaret club in Paris which celebrates its 135^th Anniversary this year where decadence meets creativity as humanity of the bohemians come together to perform. It’s also the timeless story of forbidden love between Satine, A stunning performance from Verity Thompson and Christian, a beguiling turn from Nate Landskroner. It’s a heady mix that proves to be an intoxicating delight!

This is a juke box musical that raises the bar to new heights with a beautiful book by John Logan and the original creative team of Director Alex Timbers, Chorographer Sonya Tayeh reunite for this production which brings the magic and sparkle of the West End to Edinburgh and leaves the audiences beguiled with its charm.

Performances are faultless across the board, with both Thompson and Landskroner delivering career defining and finally nuanced performances and they prove they have the vocal ability to match. Cameron Blakely is a triumph of comedy timing and showmanship in the role of “Harold Zidler”. James Bryers brings terrific villainy to his role as “The Duke” but allow just enough the characters fear to flow through.  The ten strong principal cast are joined by an outstanding 15 strong ensemble who Paris of 1899 to life with ease and style in equal measure. There isn’t single wrong note among this tight cast who sing with gusto back by Musical Director Ben Ferguson’s utterly sublime ten strong pit orchestra.

Production wise you won’t see a better theatrical treat in Scotland. Derek McLane scenic design is awe inspiring and flows from the footlights and embrace the massive playhouse auditorium. This is bolstered by Justin Townsend’s remarkable lighting design that sets new standards for touring productions. Peter Hylenski’s Sound design is everything and more. Special mention must go to Catherine Zuber’s outrageous, stunning and simply eye popping costume design. The costumes not only enrich the story but embrace the true soul of the Moulin Rouge itself.

Moulin Rouge’s heartfelt message is the greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and be loved in returned! And my word does that exude from every moment this production is front of its audiences. This is a show that’s steeped in love from its creative’s, its cast, its musicians and its audiences in equal measure.

The Playhouse is the only Scottish date on the world tour for now and reaffirms the venues standard as being the home of the West End Musical seeing Moulin Rouge! The musical will change your expectations of what musical theatre can do and you’re going to miss out on something truly epic if you don’t grab those last remaining tickets now! So Hurry along because you Can Can Can!!!Moulin Rouge The Musical,  Edinburgh Playhouse, Runs until Saturday 14^th June 2025. For more information and tickets go to:https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/moulin-rouge-the-musical/edinburgh-playhouse/

***** 5 Stars

“Truly Divine!”

Its breathtaking to think that thirty-three years have passed since 1992’s smash hit musical movie “Sister Act” starring the legendary Whoopi Goldberg was released. Telling the story of a Las Vegas show girl, Deloris Van Cartier, when working a casino in Reno she is witness to a shocking crime. She needs to hide while awaiting to give evidence at the trial and divine intervention steps in as she goes to ground in a catholic convent. Challenged by the mother superior to anything that will make the choir sound better she discovers a new passion for music and is touched by sisterhood making her discover her true place in the world.

Following a sequel movie in 1993, it would be 13 years later in 2006 that the original movie was adapted for the stage in a musical with music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner. The musical transposes the action to 1978 and the score is a disco infused eruption of joy that puts comedy along with a major dose of pathos at its heart.

The show has enjoyed global success with productions in both the west end and on Broadway. It’s now beloved with local companies and Portobello based Stage Door Entertainment take on the show in their resident venue of the Town Hall and they deliver a production which is Truly Divine!

Directed by Lisa Goldie with musical direction from Tommie Travers and Choreography by Aidan O’Brien the production team have performances at the centre of a show rich in comedy, stunning vocals and heart touch pathos.

Performances across the board are excellent with the simply stunning performance from Tinofara Fombe in the role of “Deloris Van Cartier” which is more remarkable as this performance is her debut in Musical Theatre. She truly captures the essence of Deloris perfectly and has the vocal power to stun those walking by the town hall let alone the audience in the auditorium. Deborah Beveridge channels her best Dame Maggie Smith in the role of “Mother Superior” Beveridge delivers a” Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” take but her comedy timing is peerless and that matches her faultless vocals. Special mention also must go to Orla McDonald Russell in comedic tour de force as Sister Mary Lazarus. While the female roles are the centre of the show, with company fielding a near fifty strong ensemble, there are wonderful performances from the men too. Peter Tomassi gives the right edge of villainy as Curtis and he is supported in wonderful style by Stephen Donaldson, Marc Robertson and Fionn Cameron as Joey, Tj and Pablo respectively. Rounding out a stellar principal cast is Kevin McConnachie as “Eddie” who takes the audience on a journey of self discovery in wonderful style.

Production wise Stage Door have delivered well within the confines of the town hall, Travers, O’Brien and Chris Cowies set design is perfectly judged and Heather McLuskey’s lighting design adds real theatrical magic. At this press performance there was a slight technical delay due to sound issues but Simon Ferguson on sound delivered a faultless show and the audience would never have known the difficulties faced. Lesley O’Brien’s costume design is bang on the money and the cherry on the sister act cake is the stunning 11 strong pit orchestra under the baton of Travers who clearly revel in the show as much as the cast.

Stage Door entertainment have proven there here to stay in the town hall and each production keeps getting better and better. With several more productions planned for the rest of the year the audiences will keep returning. So why not grab a ticket and be blessed with theatrical treat of divine proportions. 

Stage Door Entertainment Presents Sister Act the Musical, Portobello Town Hall runs until Saturday 17^th May 2025, for Info and tickets go to: https://www.stagedoorentertainment.co.uk/sister-act-tickets

**** (4 Stars)

“Intensely Gripping”

Originally commissioned as an audio play by the Royal Lyceum Theatre and now developed in collaboration with the National Theatre of Scotland and the National Theatre as part of London’s Generate programme. Keli returns to the Lyceum taking up residence on their main stage ahead of a Scottish Tour.

Written and composed by Martin Green and directed by Bryony Shanahan KELI, a taught and emotionally engaging performance from Liberty Black, tells the story of a fiery, sharp witted seventeen year-old in a former mining town in central Scotland. The pits are long gone have little meaning to Keli, but the mines left music in the blood of both the town and its residence. As the best player her brass band has ever had, music is easy. Everything else is a fight. Feeling trapped in small-town life, the pressure mounts in an intensely gripping play that at its heart is an exploration of community, creativity, music and the desire to identify in generation long detached from the struggles of the miner’s strikes and it’s still lingering effects.

Green’s writing while intense does rely on a non ending stream of strong language and while it does convey Keli’s story it eventually gets tiring in a play that clashes “Trainspotting” with “Brassed off” to a highly stimulating effect. While the show does feature both the Whitburn and Kingdom Brass Bands its Green’s compositions that set this show apart. It’s blend of traditional brass band instruments with a modern soundscape really brings the show alive in both intensity and passion and is a beguiling element that makes the show soar.

Performances from the eight strong cast are excellent with Liberty Black leading the company with an high accomplished performance as “Keli”. Karen Fishwick puts in a stellar performance as “Jane/Lady S/Euphonium” a talented musician in her own right with acting ability of true depth.  Olivia Hemmati makes her professional début with a comedic tour de force as “Amy/Saskia”. Phil McKee turns in a finally crafted dramatic performance as “Brian” whose strength and sensibility is a calming factor to the intensity of Keli. Critically acclaimed Scottish actor Billy Mack returns to the show in the role of “William” an ethereal figure from the past but thanks to Mack’s accomplished performance delivers a character of real depth.

Production wise Keli delivers a dystopian world thanks to the Set and Costume design from Alisa Kalyanova whose brilliant design captures the long gone coal seams, to the band rehearsal room and even the Royal Albert Hall with ease. This is enhanced by Robbie Butler’s deeply thoughtful lighting design which is complimented in excellent style by George Dennis’s Sound Design.

Keli is brave as it is capturing and delivers on the National Theatre of Scotland mission to explore untapped theatre makers that represent the best of Scotland and its stories. As Keli heads out on tour it truly delivers a refreshingly adult story that puts music and its power at its heart. Beguiling stuff indeed.

National Theatre of Scotland Presents Keli, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Runs until Saturday 17^th May. For more information and tickets go to: https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/keli#dates-and-times

 The Production will tour to Dundee Rep, Perth Theatre and Glasgow Tramway.

**** (4 Stars)

“A brave production with a passionate heart!”

Fifty five years since its initial concept album was released, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar has become an enduring classic of the musical theatre cannon. Telling the story of the final days in the life of Jesus Christ with an anthemic rock score the show has been reinvented many times from the most intimate theatres to full arena productions.

Edinburgh based Southern Light bring the show to the Festival theatre stage for the first time in its 128 year history in a production that is markedly different from anything they have done before. Directed by Fraser Grant with musical direction from Fraser Hume and choreography by Louise Williamson this is a production that borrows heavily from acclaimed west end director Jamie Lloyd.

Lloyd is achieving great success on both sides of the Atlantic with productions of Sunset Boulevard and Romeo and Juliet thanks to his inventive use of live cameras and projections on stripped back sets. Fraser Grant deploys the same style to great effect in a production of the show that brings the show into the modern world. For the most part it works and is aided by the contemporary costume design from Sandra Summers. Choreography by Louise Williamson also embraces the contemporary and isn’t scared to push the boundaries with a heavy infusion of sexuality and same sex couples it’s a joy to watch the well drilled dance troupe in the show give it their all.  

This production truly puts the light onto the performances and there are many west end worthy turns from across the company.  Colin Sutherland as “Jesus” brings a raw intensity to the role and captures from the off and equally delivers strong vocals that emote the feelings of the character with ease. Ethan Baird delivers a more understated turn as “Judas” with the traditional tenor falsetto belt being replaced with an edgy rock lilt in his voice however a lot of the lyrics are lost due to poor diction and annunciation.  The true stand out star of the show is the divine Lara Kidd in the role of “Mary” with powerhouse vocals and a finally crafted characterisation that draws you to her in every second she is on stage, she is indeed a fine west end performer of great skill. Special mention has to go to Darren Johnson as “Pilate” who delivers the most intense and capturing performance of a conflicted soul. This is an impressively big ensemble cast numbering over ninety although for the majority there pushed to the sidelines of the stage almost like additional audience members and they do feel slightly under used at times.

Production wise the show truly succeeds the set design from Fraser Grant and James Gow takes the modern feel up a notch making the large expanses of the Festival Theatre feel like a rock arena and this is bolstered by Gow’s beguiling lighting design  that is a triumph of detail and colour and brings its own emotions to the stage. The live video element also adds to the aesthetic but it does feel like more could have been achieved with it. Paul Smith’s sound design is excellent with a perfect balance between musical director Fraser Hume’s stellar 12 piece band and performers, given its a rock open that’s a tricky balance to achieve but Smith has achieved it with ease.

Southern Light has delivered a brave production with a passionate heart that embraces its ambition to be somewhat of a departure for the company. With a cracking pace and clear story telling it’s a show that captures. However it does feel like more could have been achieved from the individual elements but what you do have is a cracking night of theatre from a musical which has become a modern classic! Wonderful stuff indeed.

Southern Light Presents Jesus Christ Superstar, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, runs until Saturday 10^th May, For more information and tickets go to: Southern Light: Jesus Christ Superstar

*** (3 Stars)

“Filled with classic musical joy!”

Astonishingly it’s been sixty six years since Rogers & Hammerstein most famous collaboration, The Sound of Music, made its debut in 1959 in Connecticut at the Shubert Theatre before moving to Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre starring the legendary Mary Martin in the title role of Maria.

The show went onto become a beloved classic for generations thanks to the 1965 motion picture adaptation  starring  Dame Julie Andrews as Maria. The show is also eternally popular with local and community companies and always draws the audiences so it’s no surprise that Edinburgh’s Forth Children’s Theatre have produced there third production of the show which is enjoying a week long run at Broughton High School Theatre and delivers a production filled with classic musical joy!.

The Sound of music adapted from the real life story of the Von Trapp Family singers tells the story of Captain Von Trapp, living in the mountains of Austria finding love again with his governess, Maria, sent to him from the local abbey, she has to discover the powerful truth of love of faith and love of the heart as she wins over the heart of Captain’s seven children. This is set against the turbulence of Nazi Germany’s sweeping power over Europe in the late 1930’s. Can they find true love and freedom? This musical will give you the answer.

This production directed by Aoife Summers, Choreographed by Jayne Orchard with musical direction from Jack Gardner delivers many astonishing performances from a truly gifted young cast but does get slightly bogged down due to its slow pacing and often clunky scene transitions. Given the show already has a lengthy running time (Act one coming in at 90 minutes alone) these longer than needed transitions make it feel all the longer.

That being said performances across the board are excellent especially from the companies leads. Maria McDonald takes on the title role of Maria and delivers a truly charming performance filled with heart and glorious vocals to boot; a career in the industry awaits this talented gem. Harry Aspinall’s Captain Georg Von Trapp shows real acting chops. His journey from strict authoritarian to losing his heart in a way he never though he would again is equally engaging as it is truthful. All seven of the von trap children shine in there moment in the spotlight especially Orla Harrison as Liesel Von Trapp who captures brilliantly the transition of teenage years to adulthood with ease. Special mention also has to go to Elyssa Tait as Mother Abbess whose peerless vocals provides a true show stopping moment to bring the curtain down on act 1.

The thirty strong ensemble company make the most of their stage time and deliver extremely well with Jayne Orchards (assisted by Mirrin Macleay) choreography that not only see the cast dancing but also the sets pillars. The show also features a classy 15 strong pit orchestra under the baton of Jack Gardiner who bring real polish and Gardiner has achieve many spring tingling vocal arrangements from the cast which is impressive given the age of the performers.

Production wise however work is needed to smooth the rough edges. Gavin Macleay’s set design does invoke the Austrian mountains well and the clever use of gauzes allows the orchestra to be brought into the piece but the stylisation of brick work is a strong choice that doesn’t always work. The show is lit well by lighting and sound designer Callum Farrell and given how expansive the venue is the lighting makes the most of its abilities. The sound design does have problems with a few mics failing to come on but this probably more opening night nerves that will ease as the show beds into its run.

FCT’s The Sound of Music delivers well and the directorial choice to really bring out the very best performances from the cast is inspired and if the company can tighten the transitions and smooth out the sound issues then a fourth star is within their grasp.

For now This Sound of Music offers up an engaging night of musical theatre fun that charms its audiences and those performances really do capture from the curtain up! So head to Broughton High School and see for yourself the hills coming alive to the sound of music.

Forth Children’s Theatre, Presents the Sound of Music, Broughton High School Theatre, Edinburgh, runs until Saturday 12^th April, For more information and tickets go to: Upcoming Shows | Forth Children’s Theatre