REVIEW
Leigh Operatic and Dramatic Society
presents the SMASH-Hit Madness Musical
‘Our House’
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
11th-14th May 2022
Leigh Operatic and Dramatic Society
presents the SMASH-Hit Madness Musical
‘Our House’
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
11th-14th May 2022
It’s been a long time coming but Our House, the hit Madness Musical has finally reached the Palace Theatre stage after 2 years of setbacks; the obvious one being that ‘c’ word we hardly dare mention and a global pandemic. Being so close to opening the show back in 2020, Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society made the decision to delay the opening until now and boy, it's sure worth the wait.
Under the directorship of Drew Seal, you always feel safe in the knowledge that you are going to be in for something special. Drew has a fabulous way of getting out of his actors exactly what is needed and he is also a bit of a whizz in the the technical department too, designing the projections that are used to great effect throughout the show.
Our House, for those who have never seen it, is the story of London lad, Joe Casey. The music, the clue’s in the title, is provided by the songs and lyrics of British SKA legends, Madness. On Joe’s 16th birthday he takes his girlfriend, Sarah, out for a romantic evening but on a whim decides to break into a new building development near to his house to show Sarah the view over north London. However, they are spotted and when the police arrive, Joe has to make the decision to either run away or stay and face the consequences. It’s a sliding door moment and we get to see how both decisions affect Joe. Good Joe stays and hands himself over to the police and Bad Joe flees.
You may think that this would provide some confusion for the audience but LODS have made it perfectly clear, with Good Joe scenes dominated with white costumes and scenery and Bad Joe scenes in black. Ok, are we keeping up?
Don’t worry, it’s all brilliantly played out by the cast of what seems like millions with James Cohen taking the role of Joe with absolute gusto. James does a fabulous job playing Joe and as if taking on the lead role isn’t tough enough, add in the Guinness World Record breaking 29 plus costume changes - some at lightening speed - as well as having the added pressure of having Good Joe always entering from Stage Right and Bad Joe always entering from Stage Left! Somebody buy that man a large drink, he certainly deserves it; as do his dressers, Maria Madren, Elisabeth Moss and Helen Sharpe.
James is supported by a great cast and this is a wonderful opportunity for some of the longer serving members of the Company to shine. Peter Brown as Joe’s dad certainly doesn’t disappoint and I particularly enjoyed the One Better Day number. Zoe Berry, too, puts in a lovely performance as Joe’s loving mum, Kath, who is so proud of the heritage of the house Joe has been brought up in and supportive of her son despite his wrong-doings. Barry Jones provides a nicely played and believable performance as business man, Mr Pressman.
Joe’s sidekicks, Emmo and Lewis are played in all their cockney dopey-ness by Declan Wright and Alex Carter who milk out every bit of humour from their characters. My Girl's Mad at Me had one moment that really made me, and the rest of the audience, laugh out loud.
Joe’s girlfriend, Sarah, is played beautifully by Rebecca Wallace, who really gets a chance to show off her acting and singing skills in this show. Her girlfriends, Billie and Angie are played with cocky sassiness by Natalie McMillan and Rosie Munns.
The principal player that stood out immediately for me the moment he walked on stage was Monty Irving, as the dodgy friend and business dealer, Reecey. His characterisation was spot on and instantly believable and engaging. This is Monty’s first show with LODS and, I hope, won’t be the last.
The real stand out of this show though, is the ensemble. Our House boasts a supporting cast and ensemble of 19 performers and they are frequently all on stage during numbers. The choreography by David Gillett is outstanding and each and every cast member is on point throughout, starting off with the energetic Our House, continuing through to Baggy Trousers and later in Wings of a Dove. Not only do the chorus sing and dance their socks off, they are also assigned scene changers, with 46 boxes/cubes used, moved and put together to form each scene in either its black, or white, form. I dread to think how long it took to perfect these changes but hard work clearly pays off because each scene change was faultless and swift.
Musical Director, Rachael Plunkett, has once again worked her magic with the score and Stuart Woolner has taken on the baton for show week with a band that sound amazing.
Glenn Oxenbury certainly has his work cut out with the technical side of things but never lets us down.
Our House is a feel good, high energy production and regardless of whether you’re a fan of Madness or not, you can’t help but be swept away by the upbeat music and cool choreography. They really did write some great lyrics and melodies.
However, just like Casey Street in the afternoon, the show is over far too soon! Don’t miss your chance to see this epic production.
Review: Kim Tobin
Under the directorship of Drew Seal, you always feel safe in the knowledge that you are going to be in for something special. Drew has a fabulous way of getting out of his actors exactly what is needed and he is also a bit of a whizz in the the technical department too, designing the projections that are used to great effect throughout the show.
Our House, for those who have never seen it, is the story of London lad, Joe Casey. The music, the clue’s in the title, is provided by the songs and lyrics of British SKA legends, Madness. On Joe’s 16th birthday he takes his girlfriend, Sarah, out for a romantic evening but on a whim decides to break into a new building development near to his house to show Sarah the view over north London. However, they are spotted and when the police arrive, Joe has to make the decision to either run away or stay and face the consequences. It’s a sliding door moment and we get to see how both decisions affect Joe. Good Joe stays and hands himself over to the police and Bad Joe flees.
You may think that this would provide some confusion for the audience but LODS have made it perfectly clear, with Good Joe scenes dominated with white costumes and scenery and Bad Joe scenes in black. Ok, are we keeping up?
Don’t worry, it’s all brilliantly played out by the cast of what seems like millions with James Cohen taking the role of Joe with absolute gusto. James does a fabulous job playing Joe and as if taking on the lead role isn’t tough enough, add in the Guinness World Record breaking 29 plus costume changes - some at lightening speed - as well as having the added pressure of having Good Joe always entering from Stage Right and Bad Joe always entering from Stage Left! Somebody buy that man a large drink, he certainly deserves it; as do his dressers, Maria Madren, Elisabeth Moss and Helen Sharpe.
James is supported by a great cast and this is a wonderful opportunity for some of the longer serving members of the Company to shine. Peter Brown as Joe’s dad certainly doesn’t disappoint and I particularly enjoyed the One Better Day number. Zoe Berry, too, puts in a lovely performance as Joe’s loving mum, Kath, who is so proud of the heritage of the house Joe has been brought up in and supportive of her son despite his wrong-doings. Barry Jones provides a nicely played and believable performance as business man, Mr Pressman.
Joe’s sidekicks, Emmo and Lewis are played in all their cockney dopey-ness by Declan Wright and Alex Carter who milk out every bit of humour from their characters. My Girl's Mad at Me had one moment that really made me, and the rest of the audience, laugh out loud.
Joe’s girlfriend, Sarah, is played beautifully by Rebecca Wallace, who really gets a chance to show off her acting and singing skills in this show. Her girlfriends, Billie and Angie are played with cocky sassiness by Natalie McMillan and Rosie Munns.
The principal player that stood out immediately for me the moment he walked on stage was Monty Irving, as the dodgy friend and business dealer, Reecey. His characterisation was spot on and instantly believable and engaging. This is Monty’s first show with LODS and, I hope, won’t be the last.
The real stand out of this show though, is the ensemble. Our House boasts a supporting cast and ensemble of 19 performers and they are frequently all on stage during numbers. The choreography by David Gillett is outstanding and each and every cast member is on point throughout, starting off with the energetic Our House, continuing through to Baggy Trousers and later in Wings of a Dove. Not only do the chorus sing and dance their socks off, they are also assigned scene changers, with 46 boxes/cubes used, moved and put together to form each scene in either its black, or white, form. I dread to think how long it took to perfect these changes but hard work clearly pays off because each scene change was faultless and swift.
Musical Director, Rachael Plunkett, has once again worked her magic with the score and Stuart Woolner has taken on the baton for show week with a band that sound amazing.
Glenn Oxenbury certainly has his work cut out with the technical side of things but never lets us down.
Our House is a feel good, high energy production and regardless of whether you’re a fan of Madness or not, you can’t help but be swept away by the upbeat music and cool choreography. They really did write some great lyrics and melodies.
However, just like Casey Street in the afternoon, the show is over far too soon! Don’t miss your chance to see this epic production.
Review: Kim Tobin
LODS bring this Olivier Award Winning musical to Southend’s Palace Theatre this May after their SELL OUT performances back in 2011!
Revolving around the music of British band, Madness, Our House follows the story of London lad Joe Casey.
On the night of his sixteenth birthday, an over-excited Joe takes Sarah, the girl of his dreams, out for a romantic evening. On a whim, he breaks into a new building development near his house to show Sarah the view over North London. When the police come, Joe faces a tough decision: to run, or give himself up. It is at this point that the story splits in two as we follow the fortunes, and misfortunes, of Good Joe and Bad Joe.
Featuring:
“Our House”
“It Must Be Love”
“Baggy Trousers”
“Driving in My Car”
and LOADS more MADNESS Hits!
Book Your Tickets NOW:
www.southendtheatres.com
On the night of his sixteenth birthday, an over-excited Joe takes Sarah, the girl of his dreams, out for a romantic evening. On a whim, he breaks into a new building development near his house to show Sarah the view over North London. When the police come, Joe faces a tough decision: to run, or give himself up. It is at this point that the story splits in two as we follow the fortunes, and misfortunes, of Good Joe and Bad Joe.
Featuring:
“Our House”
“It Must Be Love”
“Baggy Trousers”
“Driving in My Car”
and LOADS more MADNESS Hits!
Book Your Tickets NOW:
www.southendtheatres.com