Category: Brett Herriot Review

***** (5 Stars)

“A joyous night of musical theatre!”

Starting its creative life as a motion picture in 2005, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Joel Edgerton, inspired by the true story of WJ Brooks LTD, a family shoe factory in Northampton who faced closure until they starting making women’s shoes for men.  The film garnered popular successes which lead in 2013 to the film being adapted into a stage musical.

Debuting at the Bank of America Theatre in Chicago in 2012 with book by iconic Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics from pop legend Cyndi Lauper the show became a global success both with audiences and critically and would go on to enjoy Broadway, London’s west end as well as touring productions.

Its story of diversity, acceptance, love and understanding speaks to the humanity in us all and now the show is back in a brand new production from Curve Theatre Leicester who are enjoying an ongoing golden period of reinterpreting musicals into to beguiling masterpieces that never fail to be triumphant.

Directed by the great Nikolai Foster this is a production which surpasses the original by opening the show up to a newer generation by expanding the casting in a reflection of the modern society we find ourselves in.

Performances from the twenty plus strong cast are uniformly excellent.  Lead by the incredible Johannes Radebe (Strictly come dancing stalwart) as “Lola” he brings new intimacy and truth to the role which captures from the off and proves he is a triple threat. Radebe forms a capturing partnership with Dan Partridge as “Charlie Price”. Partridge delivers well especially in the non music driven dramatic moments and he makes the expansive playhouse auditorium seem intimate during these touching scenes. Special mention must also go to Scott Paige as “George” who is pure comedy joy that stays on the right side from over indulgent.  The highlight has to be the expanded “Angels” Kofi Dennis, Ru Fisher, Liam McEvoy, Ben Middleton, Ashley-Jordan Packer who are often joined by the wider cast in certain numbers in delivering a drag infused extravaganza thanks to polish performances and fabulously delivered Choreography from Leah Hill

Production wise ROYO and Curves production is a complete triumph. Robert Jones Set and costume design delivers in style capturing a totally new look for the show whilst also embracing its heart and boy does the cast embrace those fabulously sparkly high heeled boots.  The set moves effortlessly from factory to night club and more thanks to it clever design and an exquisite lighting design from Ben Cracknell that culminates in a riotous rainbow of colours for the finale.  Musical Director Sioned Evans and there six strong pit band bring out the best in the refreshed musical arrangements and Adam Fisher’s sound design ensures every note, lyric and line is heard in crisp clear style.

It’s clear that this production is bound for the west end because of its rich heart, a story that speaks to us all coupled with the fact that practically the entire Playhouse run is sold out alongside many of the venues on the tour is a testament to the shows enduring popularity.

Kinky Boots is truly a joyous night of musical theatre that celebrates the best in each and every one of us both on and off stage and the company deliver an unforgettable evening of musical theatre that rightly has the audience on their feet as the curtain falls to the strains of the song Just Be! And just be sure to do what you must to get into the Playhouse this week for a Kinky Boots that’s been re-heeled, retooled and is simply better than ever.

ROYO & Curve Presents Kinky Boots the Musical, Edinburgh Playhouse runs until Saturday 22^nd February, All evening performances are sold out with limited ticket available for matinees for more information and return tickets go to: Kinky Boots Tickets | Edinburgh Playhouse in Edinburgh | ATG Tickets

 UK tour continues.

*** (3 Stars)

“Filled with Comedy Joy”

Edinburgh University Footlights theatre company mark there thirty sixth year with their first production of 2025 with the 2008 smash hit musical 9 to 5 based on the original 1980 motion picture that sent Dolly Parton’s career into the stratosphere. Debuting in Los Angeles at the Ahmanson Theatre the show would transfer to Broadway at the Marquis Theatre before arriving in the UK for an Initial tour then a lengthy run in the west end at the Savoy Theatre.

The musical faithfully transfers the motion picture to the stage thanks to the films writer Patricia Resnick returning to write the book and Dolly Parton providing the music and lyrics. It s a 90% new score but Parton’s hits “Backwoods Barbie” and the titular “9 to 5” both feature in the show.

The Footlights produce a fabulously camp take on the show filled with wonderful comedic performances but the technical issues especially with sound are weighing the overall production down.

Performances across the board are excellent, with the company being lead in style by Orly Benn as “Violet” who gives the character real depth and conviction but can also deliver lovely vocals. Richeldis Brosnan’s “Judy” has a rich naivety that transform into inner strength that’s a joy to watch. Fiona Foster channels her inner Dolly in wonderful style in the role of “Doralee” dressed in bubble gum pink with a sassiness the shines!. Taking on the role of “Mr Hart” is Levi Jones who gives the heartless chauvinist the right touch of evil and has the vocal ability to carry the role off.

The principals are joined by an excellent 12 strong ensemble company who make the most  of every moment in the spotlight to shine especially when delivering Lyss Britton choreography which adds real polish to the show. Co Directors Ellie Jackson and Max Middleton have delivered well on the comedy and getting the production cracking along at a snappy pace although they need the cast to work on accents at the moment the majority are more Edinburgh’s southside than South of the Bronx in New York City. The exception is Fiona Foster who smashes a southern accent with ease.

Production wise it’s a mixed bag, Tom Beazlay’s lighting design lifts the show endlessly and makes the most of Serena Hopkins and Lucy Henderson’s set design. Millie Franchi and Joceyln Law’s costume design works well, but it doesn’t always evoke 1979 east coast America but it does add quality to the show and gives the production a clever look all of its own.

The major problem is sound. Jack Oldcorn design should work well given the volume of head microphones being used but the operation on opening night pulled the show down. Volume levels went from ear shatteringly loud to mic’s not being on at all. The majority of the performance the levels were set far too high leading to vicious feedback adding to the problems.  The vocals on stage too often overpowered musical director Eric Roger’s excellent 12 piece pit band who delivered in spades and the sound department did balance the band excellently.

Footlights production of 9 to 5 is filled with comedy joy and delivers a good night of musical theatre fun for the price of its tickets but the company need to get the sound sorted as a four star show is within its grasp. For now stumble out of bed and pull yourself a cup of ambition and head to the Pleasance Theatre for tickets!

EU Footlights Presents 9 to 5 the Musical, The pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh runs until Saturday 15^th February for more information and tickets go to: 9 to 5 The Musical tickets on Tuesday 11 Feb | Edinburgh University Footlights | FIXR

“Sumptuously Magical “

***** 5 Stars

Legendary writer P.L Travers enduring literary legacy is her collection of stories featuring the greatest nanny in the world, Mary Poppins! First appearing in a short story nearly a century ago in 1926. The character was taken to children’s hearts thanks to her first novel published in 1934. It was that novel that Walt Disney pursued Travers for nearly two decades to acquire the film rights. Disney finally succeeded and the Disney motion picture of Mary Poppins was released in 1964. Travers deplored the film adaptation and her treatment by Disney. In 1993 Cameron Mackintosh began talks with Travers, then 93, to discuss a Stage adaptation of her most famous creation. Sadly Travers wouldn’t live to see Mary take to the stage in 2004 when the show premiered at the Bristol Hippodrome before transferring to the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End.

It’s this sumptuously magical production which calls at the Festival Theatre for a lengthy run as part of its UK tour and what a treat for the young and old alike it is. The musical draws more from the books rather than the film adaptation however it does feature much of the original music and lyrics from the film by the Sherman brothers alongside new songs and additional music and lyrics from George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Featuring a book by Julian Fellowes this is a musical that’s practically perfect in every possible plausible way!.

Performances across the board are universally excellent a forty strong ensemble company shine every moment there on stage and are lead in fabulous style by Stefanie Jones as ”Mary Poppins”, she perfectly captures her own unique take on the character blending sternness with a loving heart  and glorious voice to boot. Jack Chambers is charm personified as “Bert” a delivers a wonderfully nuanced performance and boy can he dance as can the entire company as they deliver Sir Matthew Bourne’s exquisite Choreography. Michael D. Xavier brings a gifted touch to the role of “George Banks” and plays well against Lucie – Mae Summer’s “Winifred Banks”. Special mention must go to Patti Boulaye as “Bird Woman” she perfectly captures the heart rending character coupled with the most beautiful of voices it’s truly a moment to treasure.

Production wise the show is a triumph through and through! Bob Crowley’ scenic and costume design is everything you could want and more and perfectly captures the world of cherry tree lane and far beyond. This is boosted by Hugh Vanstone’s luscious lighting design which is pure west end and so much more. Paul Gatehouse’s sound design is excellent perfectly balancing the excellent twelve strong pit orchestra under the direction of Issac McCullough with the onstage performers and ensures the vivacious score is heard in all its splendour. The heart of Mary Poppins is magic and Paul Kieve and Jim Steinmeyer’s Illusions leave the audience gasping in wonderment they really are that good, you need to keep eyes not just on stage but around the auditorium just to take them all in.

Director Richard Eyre (who co directs with Matthew Bourne) has delivered the most supercalifragilisticexpialidocious of productions that charms the audiences from start to finish and showcases beautifully the art form of musical theatre and that’s why its playing to sold out houses, so head to the Festival Theatre for tickets for the ultimate spoon full of sugar before Mary flies away for good! And enjoy the ultimate musical theatre treat!

Cameron Macintosh and Disney Presents, Mary Poppins, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh runs until Saturday 15^th February for more information and tickets go to: Mary Poppins

 The Production will tour the UK throughout 2025 and into 2026.

“Powerfully Performed!“

**** 4 Stars

2024 saw acclaimed and award winning Edinburgh based Magnetic North celebrate 25 years of producing the most creative, intimate and though provoking theatre. The kick off 2025 with a residence at Edinburgh’s Fruitmarket Gallery with a revival of their 2023 production, We Will Hear The Angels.

Written by Nicholas Bone who also co directs, alongside fellow co director and Video Designer Marisa Zanotti. We Will Hear The Angels is an hour long exploration of loss, loneliness and pain of 5 individuals. By shattering the silence and forcing other to listen to their stories can they find hope and they way to put back together their broken hearts? This powerfully performed piece will give the answers.

The wonderfully talent performing troupe of Nicholas Bone, Apphia Campbell, Caitlin Forbes, Marie-Gabrielle Koumenda and Greg Sinclair redefine the power of ensemble theatre making each one shines in their moments in the spotlight but equally when the stories intersect there is a rich sense of humanity that comes across. 

The shows music runs the gamut from Bach to Hank Williams to Orange Juice and music director Daniel Padden as truly delivered the goodies with each musical choice perfectly embracing each element of the stories being told. The company also make the best of the space at the Fruitmarket gallery and Zanotti’s delicate video design adds sophistication to the production which is boosted by Nigel Edwards’s evocative lighting design.  

The only drawback to the show is its just touching an hour in duration and as the show ends it feels like there is more to tell but equally there does feel like the show is perfectly formed, perhaps that’s the paradox the directors and creator have set out to achieve.

We Will Hear The Angels makes a beautiful start to an evening in the city and a unique opportunity to explore not just what’s on stage before you but your own lived experience and for that it reaffirms just how much theatre can move us. Wonderful stuff indeed.

We Will Hear The Angels, runs until Thursday 6^th February for more information and tickets go to: We Will Hear The Angels

**** 4 Stars

“A Stylish Musical Classic”

Seventy-three years ago, the beloved musical classic from the MGM studios “Singing In The Rain” made its debut, the charming romantic comedy set in the glamour of Hollywood as it moves from the silent movie era to the innovation of the talkies and onto the movie musical has become beloved by generations of viewers. In 1983 the film was adapted for the stage opening at the London Palladium with the Legendary Tommy Steele in the lead role. It’s that adaptation that Edinburgh based EUSOG bring to the stage of the Pleasance Theatre, and they deliver a stylish musical classic!

One of the few issues with the show is the imbalance between act 1 and act 2 with the first coming in at a stealthy 1 hour and 40 minutes and act 2 just shy of 50 minutes that first act does feel its length at times. That said the show is packed with joy as all the songs from the film including “You Were Meant For Me”, “Good Morning” and the titular “Singing in the Rain” are delivered in style.

Performances across the board are excellent but special mention must go to the those leading the cast. Ewan Robertson as Don Lockwood imbues the Hollywood heart throb with ease and he has a charming voice to go with it. Amelia Brenan as Lina Lamont is the perfect foil as a heartless bitch, however she needs to be careful while the role requires an annoying voice and vocal tone she does loose diction and clarity at time making it difficult to understand what’s she is saying but it a divine nasty performance. The gorgeous Conor O’Dochartaigh delivers a stealthy take on the role of R.F Simpson giving it the right amount of heart to the hardness the character needs. Hannah Shaw gives a timeless emotion to her take on “Kathy Seldon” and she has a honey-soaked vocal quality to go with it. The standout of the cast must be Dan J Bryant as “Cosmo Brown” they deliver a true comedy tour de force alongside the perfect triple threat of vocals, dancing and comedy, they steal the stage every time they appear on it.

Production wise the company have made the best of the space available in the Pleasance theatre. The twenty strong ensemble get there moments to shine especially in Rosalyn Harper’s inventive choreography. Freya Game’s Lighting design delivers well especially with the inclusion of clever cinema moments. Leon Lee’s sound design suffered from a few glitches across the show but there was an excellent balance between performers and musical director Sebastian Schneeberger’s 17 strong pit orchestra who bring class and polish to such a beloved score.

EUSOG have delivered a show with real heart and polished performances and those big production numbers really do wow the audience and everyone leaves the auditorium smiling after an excellent value you for money night in the theatre. Sadly, the Friday evening performance is cancelled due to the storm conditions, and Saturday evening is a sell out so rush to get those matinee tickets or you will be left out singing in the rain alone!

EUSOG Presents Singing in the Rain, The Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh runs until Saturday 25^th January 2025, for Info and tickets go to: https://www.eusog.org