The Witches Of Eastwick

The Sunderland Empire Theatre

Alexandra Spofford (Ria Jones), Sukie Rougemont (Rebecca Thornhill) and Jane Smart (Poppy Tierney) are three bored suburban women who long for some excitement. Innocently, they conjure up a mysterious man, in the form of Darryl Van Horne (Marti Pellow), to add a little spice into their lives.

One by one, the enigmatic Van Horne seduces the three women and awakens a power within them that has previously remained dormant. In the process, a moral scandal is ignited in the conservative small town and the women are ostracised from the community, at the hands of its self appointed moral crusader and general busybody, Felicia Gabriel (Rachel Izen).

This production is a visual extravaganza, although it may not be your maiden aunt’s cup of tea, with its phallic symbols and sexual innuendos.

Slick direction from Nikolai Foster brings out the best from a fantastic cast who never deliver anything but 150%. The designer, Peter Mckintosh provides costumes and sets that are ablaze with colour and the choreographer, Geoffrey Garratt, keeps up the momentum with some spectacular ensemble dance routines.

However, what really sets this darkly comedic musical apart from the rest is the performances of its principal performers.

Marti Pellow hurls himself wholeheartedly into the role of Van Horne and gives a performance that is charismatic, energetic and high-octane. Jones, Thornhill and Tierney are all accomplished West End leading ladies who know how to sell a song, too. What is refreshing is that they are happy to work as a trio without any one of them vying for the top spot.

There are also some lovely little cameos from Rachel Izen, as Felicia, James Graeme, as Clyde, and Victoria Hay, as The Girl, in particular.

The Witches Of Eastwick is a fiendishly fabulous musical that casts a spell over the audience and gives them a Hell of a great night out!

Steve Burbridge.

The Witches Of Eastwick runs at The Sunderland Empire Theatre until Saturday 21^st March 2009.