Tag Archives: Anthony Drewe

JUST SO

★★★½

Bridewell Theatre

JUST SO at the Bridewell Theatre

★★★½

“It is an enjoyable experience though, with some memorable and entertaining moments”

This musical is at its best when it leans into the silliness, and bubbles with campy fun.

Just So is a 1984 adaptation of Kipling’s childhood favourite Just So Stories. This production nods to classic stylistic tropes from the musical, with suitcases and a beige palette, but feels fresh and original.

It is playfully and imaginatively directed by Glen Jordan, with cast popping up from trapdoors, hiding in boxes and using every inch of the space.

There are some strong performances – the Eldest Magician (Joe McWilliam), who acts as narrator. holds it all together. He shines throughout, both with a rich singing voice and confident stage presence. Kate Gledhill brings range to the often-chirpy Kolokolo Bird, showing strong moments of poignancy and doubt. Freddie Tibbs, the baker, referred to throughout as Parsee Man (some of the language in this production feels a bit outdated) is a brilliant singer, and a powerful scene stealer.

“The lighting is playful and charming”

There is a huge ensemble, with a full chorus. In a piece of careful and kind directing, everyone gets their own moment, allowing a member of the chorus to show off her splits, and Eleanor Leaper as the zebra to demonstrate impressive vocal riffs. A delightful standout is Thomas Outhwaite as the baker’s oven, and sidekick. There is great and simple joy in seeing him dressed in a huge cardboard box trying to dance along with each number.

The play is slightly let down by the central character, it’s a difficult part and feels tonally out of synch with the best parts of the show. The second half is slower than the first (aside from an excellent and energetic performance by Jac Norris as the arrogant kangaroo) and possibly a few cuts could have helped keep the momentum going.

The lighting is playful and charming, the first moments of the play, where the lights slowly twinkle up, do feel deeply magical. The set design is also really fun. Palm trees become crab claws, umbrellas shift from clouds to waves – it’s imaginative and simple.

A question does dog this production, and that is who the intended audience is. As a show for children, with some cuts, this could be a real hit. For adults, parts of it feel a bit off the mark. It is an enjoyable experience though, with some memorable and entertaining moments.


JUST SO at the Bridewell Theatre

Reviewed on 5th March 2024

by Auriol Reddaway

Photography by Michael Smith

 

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:

AMADEUS | ★★★★ | November 2022
AMERICAN IDIOT | ★★★★ | May 2022

Just So

Just So

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Soho Cinders

★★★★

Charing Cross Theatre

Soho Cinders

Soho Cinders

Charing Cross Theatre

Reviewed – 28th October 2019

★★★★

 

“despite being predictable to the end, the story flows as harmoniously as the ensemble singing”

 

The setting for “Soho Cinders” is Old Compton Street, a street that knows no shame, where theatre goers rub shoulders with prostitutes and local businessmen on their way home are having one last drink as they collide with a younger crowd arriving for their first. It is a world which never really existed but you kind of feel it might have done. It is London as we know it, but with a technicolour gloss coating that fits perfectly with this modern-day retelling of ‘Cinderella’.

With music by George Stiles, Lyrics by Anthony Drewe and book by Drewe and Elliot Davis, the classic fable is given a satirical twist with a plot that is, in turns, comedic, romantic and serious. The mix of politics, scandal and true love is flawlessly balanced so that, despite being predictable to the end, the story flows as harmoniously as the ensemble singing.

Young, impoverished student Robbie is ‘Cinderella’, scraping a meagre living in his late mother’s laundrette, but facing eviction from his ‘ugly’ stepsisters who run the strip club next door. He just gets by with the occasional pay off from a local ‘Lord’, but when he begins a secret liaison with the already engaged Mayoral candidate, he looks set to lose everything. And everyone. Luke Bayer captivates as Robbie, having us rooting for him throughout. When he sings “Happy ever afters always turn out wrong”, we both wish and know that he’ll be proven wrong and he’ll find his prince. Part of me, however, wishes he would straighten up and fall for his co-worker and best-friend ‘Velcro’. Millie O’Connell imbues Velcro with a warmth, loyalty and irreverent wisdom that makes it one of the stand-out performances.

The show stealers are surely Clodagh and Dana, the stepsisters, though they do have a head start. Davis’ script is overflowing with brilliant one liners and these sisters have the lion’s share of them. Michaela Stern and Natalie Harman certainly make a meal of them too with unforgettably hilarious performances. But each character is given their moment to shine, while the ensemble highlights Adam Haigh’s dynamic choreography. Stiles and Drewe’s eclectic score is a catchy mix of ballads, duets and showstoppers, ranging from the achingly beautiful “They Don’t Make Glass Slippers” through to the fiery “I’m So Over Men”, which is reprised with a clever double-entendre re-interpretation of its title.

“Soho Cinders” is a musical with a heart full of passion and a belly full of laughs. As the nights draw in and the cold fronts approach the city, this show will certainly reignite the cinders and leave you with a feeling of warmth. The moral of the fairy-tale is in plain sight, but it doesn’t quench the enjoyment. This incredibly talented cast have as much fun as the audience. An audience who will still be humming the tunes way after midnight. Go! You’ll have a ball.

 

Reviewed by Jonathan Evans

Photography by Pamela Raith

 


Soho Cinders

Charing Cross Theatre until 21st December

 

Previously reviewed at this venue:
Harold and Maude | ★★★★ | February 2018
It Happened in Key West | ★★ | July 2018
Mythic | ★★★★ | October 2018
Violet | ★★ | January 2019
Amour | ★★★★ | May 2019
Queen Of The Mist | ★★★★ | August 2019

 

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