UK Theatre Network

Menopause: The Musical

Reviewed at The Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle

WHEN four different women are thrown together at a lingerie sale in a well-known London department store, it seems as though they have little in common. One is a shrewd business woman, one a vegan Earth mother, one a successful soap star and one a dowdy housewife from Skegness.

However, over a fight for a black lace bra, they discover that they have a few more things in common than they first thought: memory loss, hot flushes, night sweats, and a craving for chocolate, to name but a few!

Cheryl Baker, who many will remember from her days as one quarter of the Eurovision-winning pop group Bucks Fizz, leads a fantastic cast including ‘Allo ‘ Allo’s Sue Hodge, Susie Fenwick and Ellen O’Grady.

The laughs come thick and fast as writer Jeanie Linders casts a satirical glance over all things associated with ‘the change,’ and ensures that the menopause is no longer seen as ‘the silent passage.’

Many well-known songs, such as ‘I Will Survive’, ‘My Guy’ and ‘I Got You, Babe’ are re-worked with new lyrics in this joyful musical parody that had the predominantly-female audience cackling with delight – and , no doubt, recognition.

The performances were faultless and every member of the cast proved themselves to be fantastic singers. But, it was their comedic antics that really pleased the crowd, and, in this respect, Sue Hodge almost stole the show with her interpretation of a fat, frumpy middle-aged woman from the Midlands.

By the finale, every member of the audience was up on their feet singing, clapping along and celebrating their femininity – mood swings and all!

Steve Burbridge.

‘Menopause: The Musical’ runs at The Tyne Theatre & Opera House until Saturday 20^th June, before touring to Portsmouth, Horsham, Lincoln and Malvern.

Looking For Buddy

Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne

(until Saturday 13^th June 2009)

Geordie actor Tim Healy makes a welcome return to Live Theatre, the company that he and a handful of aspiring local actors set up 26 years ago, to take the lead role in ‘Looking For Buddy.’

He plays Phil, a down-at-heel architect, in this witty jazz musical which has been written by one of the country’s most entertaining playwrights, Jarrow born Alan Plater.

When a beautiful ‘bottle-blonde’ named Ella (Jayne MacKenzie) flounces into his Newcastle office, mistakenly thinking he is the private detective from the office below, Phil is drawn into an intriguing and potentially dangerous search for the missing recordings of jazz maestro Buddy Bolden.

Along the way he encounters an array of colourful characters and discovers that The Good Earth Corporation has plans to transform much of Tyneside – and not for the better, either.

With the help of his Marxist sister, Bella (Jane Holman), Frank the Fitter, a former shipyard worker (Phil Corbitt), and Fat Jack, the owner of The Blue Note Jazz Club (Nicholas Lumley), Phil takes on the smart, international corporation and clashes with the icy-cool, sinister Zelda (Jacqueline Boatswain) in an attempt to find out the hidden truth that lies behind the superficial regeneration plans.

Although some of the issues are a little dated – for instance, didn’t the ‘yuppification’ of Tyneside take place in the late 80s and early 90s? – the plot is entertaining and the performances are polished. In addition to the many surprises in the storyline, there comes an even bigger one when Tim Healy reveals that he has a pretty fine singing voice.

The musical score is provided by acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Alan Barnes and delivered by a band that remains on stage throughout the performance, but never detracts from the action. The songs are all written especially for the play and are integrated well.

If you’re looking for an evening filled with laughter, song, comedy and drama, then ‘Looking For Buddy’ is the perfect solution.

Steve Burbridge.

Little Shop Of Horrors

UK National Tour

Reviewed at The Sunderland Empire Theatre

Based on a low-budget 1960 B-movie black comedy and a subsequent 1986 musical film, Little Shop Of Horrors tells the story of Seymour Krelborn, a meek florists assistant, who has his life turned around when he comes across a mysterious and unusual plant shortly after a sudden solar eclipse.

He names the plant ‘Audrey II’ after the sales girl who he is secretly in love with, but the cute little cutting does not thrive in its new environment - until Seymour accidentally pricks his finger and a drop of blood falls onto the pod of the plant, revealing its true diet. The plant grows and brings Seymour fame and fortune and the pair strike a pact: Audrey II agrees to continue generating publicity if Seymour secretly continues to satisfy its carnivorous appetite. But, before long, it develops into a monstrous, mean, green people-eater.

This sensational new touring production, fresh from a recent West End revival, is magnificent. It has everything that you could look for in a musical: a talented cast; a wonderful storyline; a great 60s-pastiche score; and a vicious form of vegetation from outer space, intent on world domination, to boot!

Performances from the cast are energetic and enthusiastic throughout and they don’t disappoint. Damian Humbley is an affable Seymour, and his performance quickly enables him to strike up a successful rapport with the audience, which he maintains consistently. Sylvester McCoy revels in his role as the cranky, conniving florist Mushnik, proving his worth as a consummate comedy actor, and Alex Ferns hurls himself wholeheartedly into several different roles, particularly Orin Scrivello – a sadistic dentist with a penchant for pain, motorcycles and leather.

However, it is Clare Buckfield, as Audrey, who shines brightest of all. Her performance is thoroughly engaging and her vocal talents are used to maximum effect.

Strong supporting performances are delivered by Nadia Di Mambro, Cathryn Davis and Donna Hines as Chiffon, Crystal and Ronette, a chorus of street urchins from Skid Row. Mike McShane is wonderful, too, as the voice of the ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B singing carnivore.

The combination of direction from Matthew White, choreography by Lynne Page and David Farley’s design ensures that the production is also visually stunning. It’s a monster hit!

Steve Burbridge.

Little Shop Of Horrors runs at The Sunderland Empire until Saturday 18^th April 2009.

www.littleshopthemusical.co.uk

Hot Flush!

UK National Tour

Reviewed at Darlington Civic Theatre

Myra, Sylvia, Jessica and Helen all have one thing in common – they are each going through the menopause. The women meet every Tuesday evening to share in their experiences, their secrets, their highs and lows and, together, they make up the ‘Hot Flush Club.’

Obviously, this musical is targeted at a female audience and the auditorium at Darlington Civic Theatre was packed with them on Monday evening.

Lesley Joseph leads a hugely talented cast that also includes Hilary O’Neil, Anne Smith, Ruth Keeling and the token male, Sam Kane.

Miss Joseph plays Myra who was a successful barrister specialising in divorce – until she began to develop symptoms of the menopause and her husband left her for a blonde bimbo. Now Myra drinks and smokes too much and struggles to contain her pent up anger and frustration. The incorrigible Joseph hurls herself wholeheartedly into the role and has the audience in hysterics.

Hilary O’Neil’s portrayal of sex-mad Sylvia, the gauche American is equally as effective. She is having a secret affair with Myra’s eighteen year old son and, inevitably, it is only a matter of time until she is found out and the sparks begin to fly.

Ruth Keeling is Jessica, the larger than life charity fund-raiser who has to cope with unwanted advances from the lecherous local vicar. Anne Smith plays widowed Helen, who battles loneliness and short-term memory loss.

All four women deliver fantastic comedy performances that have the audience whooping with glee. Refreshingly, they seem to work as an effective ensemble and nobody appears to pull focus or upstage anyone else.

Sam Kane has the unenviable job of being the only male in the cast and, with four sexy, sassy women to deal with, it must be no easy undertaking! However, Mr Kane revels in his role and his cheeky charm is a hit with the audience. He plays a variety of roles including barman, doctor, waiter, security guard and Chinese herbalist.

Olly Ashmore provides the musical numbers and his witty lyrics make each and every one a gem. When Roger Hannah’s choreography is integrated they become showstoppers in their own right. Director Alan Cohen also knows just how to get the very best from each member of his cast, too.

Undoubtedly, Hot Flush! will be derided by some snobbish critics  because of it’s tongue-in-cheek approach and revue-like content. However, it is worth noting that this production is filling theatres during the worst economic crisis since the depression of the 30s and providing a great night’s entertainment to boot. The ‘real’ world is filled with worry and woe, so let’s hear it for a welcome bit of fun, froth and frivolity. Go girls, go!

Steve Burbridge.

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.