REVIEW
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS
The Magical Musical
Cliffs Pavilion: Wed 1 – Sun 5 September 2021
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS
The Magical Musical
Cliffs Pavilion: Wed 1 – Sun 5 September 2021
How exciting to be able to sit in a full capacity audience of a world premiere new stage musical on the first Press Night since covid brought theatres into darkness. It's been a long time coming but, oh my, it's great to be back; and what a show to come back to.
Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks 1971 film starring Angela Lansbury was always a firm favourite when we were kids, with one of the most memorable moments belonging to the magical under-the-sea adventure which included the song, The Beautiful Briny, sung by Lansbury as trainee witch, Eglantine Price, together with Emelius Browne and the three children all on the bed of which the 'knobs' are used to much magical delight. I was intrigued as to how this scene and the many other magical moments would be brought to life on stage
Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks 1971 film starring Angela Lansbury was always a firm favourite when we were kids, with one of the most memorable moments belonging to the magical under-the-sea adventure which included the song, The Beautiful Briny, sung by Lansbury as trainee witch, Eglantine Price, together with Emelius Browne and the three children all on the bed of which the 'knobs' are used to much magical delight. I was intrigued as to how this scene and the many other magical moments would be brought to life on stage
From the get go the show really packs a punch visually and audibly. The bangs of the World War 2 bombs vibrate throughout the auditorium and we are introduced to the three Rawlins children who are suddenly orphaned and reluctantly evacuated from their London home to the village of Fingeringe Eye and into the care of the quirky Miss Price. Upon discovering Eglantine to be a trainee witch, the children join forces with her to search for a secret spell that will defeat the enemy once and for all.
What Michael Harrison has done with this production is nothing short of genius; with wonderful scenery and sets that are deftly moved from scene to scene with such skill and subliminal precision by the ensemble that it isn't difficult to lose yourself in the action on stage. And yes, the bed really does fly and so does Miss Price's broomstick much to the delight of the Southend Cliffs Pavilion audience.
Dianne Pilkington takes on the role of Miss Eglantine Price and really makes it her own. Along with Charles Brunton as the rather hapless trickster, Emelius Browne, the pair certainly do a cracking job of ploughing through a heck of a lot of lyrics and often and not least whilst pulling off some pretty nifty magic tricks at the same time.
Conor O'Hara as the eldest of the Rawlins children plays the part splendidly as a 13 year old, creating a character that put me in mind of a young Tommy Steele, especially during his number, Negotiality. Poppy Houghton as Carrie and Jasper Hawes as Paul Rawlins also do a lovely job.
This really is a truly magical show with lots to keep even the younger children enthralled with an abundance of on stage trickery, puppetry and illusions and with an ensemble who do a cracking job of keeping the flow and pace of the action going. I particularly loved Rob Madge's fish puppet which had the audience chuckling in the Briny Sea scene and the Portobello Road number gave the whole ensemble a chance to show off some nice choreography.
What Michael Harrison has done with this production is nothing short of genius; with wonderful scenery and sets that are deftly moved from scene to scene with such skill and subliminal precision by the ensemble that it isn't difficult to lose yourself in the action on stage. And yes, the bed really does fly and so does Miss Price's broomstick much to the delight of the Southend Cliffs Pavilion audience.
Dianne Pilkington takes on the role of Miss Eglantine Price and really makes it her own. Along with Charles Brunton as the rather hapless trickster, Emelius Browne, the pair certainly do a cracking job of ploughing through a heck of a lot of lyrics and often and not least whilst pulling off some pretty nifty magic tricks at the same time.
Conor O'Hara as the eldest of the Rawlins children plays the part splendidly as a 13 year old, creating a character that put me in mind of a young Tommy Steele, especially during his number, Negotiality. Poppy Houghton as Carrie and Jasper Hawes as Paul Rawlins also do a lovely job.
This really is a truly magical show with lots to keep even the younger children enthralled with an abundance of on stage trickery, puppetry and illusions and with an ensemble who do a cracking job of keeping the flow and pace of the action going. I particularly loved Rob Madge's fish puppet which had the audience chuckling in the Briny Sea scene and the Portobello Road number gave the whole ensemble a chance to show off some nice choreography.
My only disappointment with this show is with the score which I have to confess I don't find particularly memorable. The Sherman brothers, who wrote the original music and lyrics for Bedknobs and Broomsticks, also wrote for Disney's The Jungle Book, The Aristocats and the film they are probably most known for, Mary Poppins, so it is a shame that the only song I came away humming was The Beautiful Briny. Portobello Road perhaps is another song that stood out from the rest.
That said, there is plenty to be entertained by in this production. It really is a spectacular affair and very cleverly put together. Children of all ages won't fail to enjoy this magical musical affair.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks is on at the Cliffs Pavilion until Sunday 5th September with 2 performances on Saturday and Sunday. Check the website for more details.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks is produced by Michael Harrison by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions.
Tickets are on sale at www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk
That said, there is plenty to be entertained by in this production. It really is a spectacular affair and very cleverly put together. Children of all ages won't fail to enjoy this magical musical affair.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks is on at the Cliffs Pavilion until Sunday 5th September with 2 performances on Saturday and Sunday. Check the website for more details.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks is produced by Michael Harrison by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions.
Tickets are on sale at www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk
Ask the Audience
Callum, 10 from Westcliff
"I really enjoyed it and it was brilliant, fun and surprising at the end too!" Chelsea, 15 from Westcliff "I thought it was amazing and also wasn't expecting the surprise at the end. My favourite part was Portobello Road and my favourite character was Miss Price. I love musicals!" |