Happy Days - A New Musical, Milton Keynes Theatre
16th June - 21 June 2014
As the recognisable theme booms out, this new musical adaptation of the TV series Happy Days blasts on to the stage with gusto, if noting else.
This is a trip down memory lane for us all who watched the iconic Arthur Fonzarelli "The Fonz" (Henry Winkler) every week - week in, week out for 10 years.
To choose such a beloved show viewed by millions of now, grown up teens is risky. It has to be spot on and unfortunately this isn't.
The level of the effort by the cast was undeniable - this musical relays too heavily on the nostalgia of the TV series and sadly this is a middle of the production at best.
The story set in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1959, the action centers around the famous Arnold's Diner, which is under threat of closure (so that a new fangled "shopping mall" can be built). This is particularly dull story line, which is hard to buy into and very predictable. The musical seems to try too hard to cram every character into each scene, which makes it quite frantic. Less is more...and the Malachi Brothers were just cringe worthy.
I looked forward to seeing the characters I had loved for so many years come to life on the stage, from Marion Cunningham (played by Cheryl Baker), to the young heart throb Chachi (Eddie Myles) and of course the Fonz himself, played by Ben Freeman. He just didn't recreate the character, style, charisma or swagger of The Fonz.
I was bitterly disappointed. The show just lacked the wow factor all round. Even sexy Ex Sugar Babe Heidi Range (as the Foxy Pinky Tuscadero) lacked oomph. Her voice was fantastic,as you would expect - however, her acting was very wooden and totally unbelievable in the role.
Stand out performances were from Cheryl Baker and the ensemble, giving it their all. The choreography is brilliant thanks to Andrew Wight - whilst the songs are not memorable, their delivery was faultless.
Stage set by Tom Roger's was totally fantastic (and probably the best bit) managing to seamlessly swap from the Al's Diner,the Cunningham's' kitchen, the Garage and much more - so clever!
You cannot deny that Happy Days has charm and innocence, and to hear the sound track just brings back such happy memories...just don't set your expectations too high.
Lily B X
West Side Story
Milton Keynes Theatre 3rd June - 14th June 2014
Transporting the story of Romeo and Juliet from Verona, Italy to 1950's New York - West Side Story follows the doomed young love between Tony and Maria as their rival families, the Jets and the Sharks clash over territory and power.
The musical numbers in this show are as memorable as the show is itself...and they come thick and fast. Classics such as Maria, Somewhere and the feisty America If you like musical theatre, you will LOVE West Side Story. It's almost impossible not to hum one of the tunes as you leave the auditorium!
The choreography is so strong and the cast of male dancers show case this, as their dancing abilities outshine their acting/singing.
However, that said, the very talented young star Louis Maskell (Tony) has a voice that puts the hairs on the back of your neck tingle when he hits the notes spot on. His control and technique are sublime and surpass his years.
Of the girls in the cast, a special mention has to go to Katie Hall (Maria) who is as cute as a button and has such a huge voice for someone so petite - it's quite simply amazing.
The other female lead Djalenga Scott (Anita) is spell binding, she gave a faultless all round performance and when she is on stage, it's hard to take your eyes off of her.
The lovers Tony and Maria (Maskell and Hall) are convincing young lovers and are so tender together - when they duet the sound is exquisite, beautiful and immensely emotional.
This is one show you can't miss - it's a classic for a reason.
Grab a ticket NOW!...so who will you be...a Jet or a Shark?
Enjoy!
Lily B X
Pygmalion 27th - 31st May 2014 Milton Keynes Theatre
If you remember the classic film "My Fair Lady" starring Audrey Hepburn, then you will know the story that is George Bernard Shaw's social inequality play Pygmalion - it's the same story, just without the music!
BAFTA award winning Alistair McGowan stars as phonetics expert Henry Higgins. McGowan, better known for his impressions, shows a different side to his talents in this role - he plays the over enthusiastic boyish professor amazing well (even down to shuffling nervously with his loose change in his pockets...hopefully!?)
He is aided and abetted by the language aficionado Colonel Pickering (Paul Brightwell) to pluck a caterwauling cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle (Rachel Barry) from the gutter. Brightwell and Barry give sterling performances, but just a tad wooden at times.
The pompous Higgins makes a bet with his friend Pickering that he can transform the manners and speech of this "guttersnipe" into a Lady. Neither one thinking what would become of a common flower girl, once the bet was won.
The highlight was Eliza's father, Alfred played by the scene stealing Jamie Foreman (Easters Derek Branning) his unorthodox preaching and shunning of the middle class excites Professor Higgins and propels this unlikely man into the the gentry (rebelling all the way!)
The wonderful Rula Lenska plays the very proper and indifferent mother to Higgins, not a huge part, but regally portrayed.
The cast bring this enduring masterpiece to life, the scripting is sublime bringing out the best of the memorable dialogue.
Jonathan Fensom's versatile set works wonders to allow lots of swift, slick movement from London's Covent Garden to the Professors abode, to Mrs. Higgins's drawing room and back again.
This play exceeded my expectations in every department and is a great evening's entertainment.
Lily B X
