Wonderful Town - MK Theatre

Review date 24th April 2012

Wonderful Town - MK Theatre

Wonderful Town is based on a book - it has been a film, a play and a musical....all based on the true life experiences of Ruth McKenney.  A 26 year old "wanna be" journalist from Ohio who moves to 1930's New York to make her name along with her extremely sociable younger sister Eileen who is a starlet in the making.  The pair are set to take the Big Apple by storm!

It is hard to beleive that this zany, screwball comedy is actually based on true events!?

With an exhilarating jazzy score by Leonard Bernstein - this musical makes for great entertainment.

Connie Fisher (lead role in the recent stage musical Sound of Music) is back on stage after her spell out of the lime light.  I wondered what her performance would be like? Would it be as punchy as her vocals in the Sound of Music? I didn't need to worry...

Fisher, if anything, has grown in stature as not only a vocal talent but an extremely talented actress.  Her vocals were spot on and she gave an absolutely faultless, polished perforemance. She plays the sassy outspoken Ruth - Connie Fisher was a delight to watch as she made the role her own.

Lucy van Gasse as the feisty younger sister Eileen, complemented Fisher in both vocals and a genuiene chemistry between the characters.  Van Gasse has a simply devine, delicate tone to her voice and adds to the vulneralability that her character dictates.

The broadway style set was absolutely amazing and the brilliant costumes added to the visual fest - all designed by Simon Higlett.

The live orchestra conducted by James Burton was a real treat - and supported the vocals completely.

The uber talented cast filled the stage with such enthusiasm, pace and smiles - as I looked around the theatre, it reflected in the audiences faces, it was smiles all round!!

The show left me feeling happy, even though I didn't recognise the musical numbers, it didn't stop me from tapping my feet and clapping along to the songs.

Wonderful Town is a Wonderful show and definately has the feel good factor....I would recommend it to anyone.

Lily B x