Jo Turbitt has fallen in love with the latest touring production of the classic musical.
This show is gold gold gold! If you have to pick a pocket or two to buy a ticket, then do.
Cameron Mackintosh has brought a production of West End class and calibre on the road, which makes a theatre enthusiast very happy. The content of the show is timeless, however the production team has made it fresh and exciting; quirky reworkings of the score by slicing scenes into songs where they weren't before was really exciting.
Having seen the stage show quite a few times before, I was hoping that I wasn't about to watch another re-hash of the Lionel Bart score. The injection of fresh pairs of ears from the musical direction team has made all the difference to this piece.
The first act bounds from song to song and scene to scene with energy and drive, complimented by the quality of the lighting, choreographic set changes and overall splendour. Injected into this: a cast who gel as a company (very rare!), resulting in an awesome night out. The kids are superb and the adults in the cast are very strong. When they share the stage, the only thing that distinguishes the two is their height.
Under the direction of Laurence Connor, the cast bring Dicken's characters to the stage with superb Dickensian stereotypical spice. Our leads for the night demonstrated why they were in the roles they were. However, there were particular fantastic performances. Firstly Nancy, played by Cat Simmons who brought an honesty and hard-edged truth to all her songs. I've not heard 'As Long As He Needs Me' sung like that. Ever.
‘What about Brian Conley?’ I hear you ask. His Fagin was up there with that of Russ Abbot. He made the role his own and in his performance proved that he was more than a famous name. I wasn't sure what to expect from him and as usual was slightly tentative to know that there was a celebrity playing one of the roles in musical theatre which, if played the wrong way, can take the show with it. Conley, however, was quite simply brilliant. He played the role humbly, perfectly and with the right amount of comedy.
The other performer who stole the show was the teeniest person on the stage; I've no idea what his name was but he totally captured the audience in his tiny hands with his flawless cuteness and massive personality. A wee legend.
Don't miss this show. Review your situation and Consider yourself already there in the audience!
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