Category: Brett Herriot Review

“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

“Pure Rock That Sizzles “

**** 4 Stars

The late legendary rock composer Jim Steinman’s lasting legacy is his rock musical “Bat out of Hell ” for which he wrote the Book, Music and Lyrics. It enjoyed major success in London’s west end as well as Broadway alongside its first major UK tour in 2021. That tour was emotionally charged as the world lost both Steinman in 2021 and Meat Loaf in 2022 and we gave it a five star review as it was truly an epic thrill ride of a show.

Why then has a star been lost? It’s down to the fact this new tour for 2025 is reworking of the latest Australian arena tour that essentially see’s act one being nothing more than a concert of Steinman’s hits with little to no direction from the productions director Jay Scheib. The shows story is a loose retelling of Peter Pan set in post utopian New York and act 2 does get the story over but it doesn’t quite make up for act one being so bereft of story even if the songs are terrific and performed with paunch by the stellar twenty three strong cast (including swings),

The cast are as shining example of what a tight knit ensemble company can achieve with beguiling vocals aplenty. Special mention must go to Glenn Adamson who leads the company as “Strat” his faultless vocals accompanied by swirling hip moves captures the audience from the off.  Kate Tonkinson shines as “Raven” with gorgeous honey soaked vocals. The same is true of Sharon Sexton who brings a deep sense of maturity to the role of “Sloane” especially in the capturing scenes with the wonderful Rob Fowler as “Falco”, however the entire cast stand out.

Director Jay Scheib makes some often confusing choices, the cast are all clearly wearing head microphones so the obsession with hand held radio mics feels lost on the audience especially the switching from hand held radio mics to an xlr cable microphone it’s more of a faff for the cast than adding anything of artistic benefit. That being said Scheib drives excellent performances from the entire cast especially in Act 2 and one thing is for sure they can really sing the rock opera infused score that’s boosted by Musical Director Iestyn Griffiths and there excellent eight strong on stage band. Matt Peploe’s sound design is right on the money and captures both the intimate moments alongside the full out rock concert embellishments with ease.

Xena Gusthart’s choreography is delivered with pin sharp procession however the same motif could be used a little less often however it does capture the heart of the show beautifully. Jon Bausor’s costume design is excellent and delivers well however the same isn’t true of their set design which is markedly different from the previous UK tour and does take the shine off the show. However Patrick Woodroffe’s lighting design is everything and more.  Special mention must go to Finn Ross and there stellar video design that adds an immersive element to the show thanks to onstage videographer Tom Samuels.

All in all this Bat out of Hell still delivers well thanks to the astonishing back catalogue from both Steinman and Meatloaf alongside so many others it’s just a shame some of the shine has come off the show, that being said for a night of pure rock that sizzles and gets the audience on their feet every time then hit the Playhouse for tickets to journey from never land right through hell and back again!

Bat Out of Hell The Musical, The Edinburgh Playhouse, Runs until Sunday 11th January 2025 for additional info and tickets go to: Bat Out Of Hell Tickets | Edinburgh Playhouse in Edinburgh | ATG Tickets

The Production will also visit The King’s Theatre Glasgow from Monday 7^th to Saturday 19^th April as well as touring the UK.