OFF WEST END PREMIER OF NEW MUSICAL
‘USHERS’
Little Theatre Company the first to present new musical outside of the West End
Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
7th – 11th March 2017
‘USHERS’
Little Theatre Company the first to present new musical outside of the West End
Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
7th – 11th March 2017
Ushers, The Front of House Musical, was written by drama school graduates, James Rottger, Yiannis Koutsakos and James Oban with a World Premier at the Hope Theatre in 2013, transferring to the Charing Cross Theatre in 2014. Then just two years ago they took it to the Edinburgh Festival where it received rave reviews. later transferring to the Arts Theatre, London for a limited but successful run.
It's no surprise to learn that the writers of this show were actually ushers themselves as this show provides such a wonderful insight into the lives of the people who love to work in theatre but who, if they were honest, would rather be performing in the theatre, as opposed to working in the theatre, selling programmes, ice-cream, merchandise and over-priced drinks.
The storyline revolves around Manager, Robin Pocketts (Ian Benson) who needs his team of Ushers to be on top 'up-selling' form as the new jukebox musical 'Oops I Did it Again' is about to preview. With new girl, Lucy (Eleanor Softly) having to learn the ropes from his team of ushers - gay couple, Ben (Jamie Redgate) and Gary (Julian Cottee) on the brink of a relation breakup; Rosie (Laura Harper), hell-bent on proving her popularity on social media by sneakily taking photos of all the leading men she has crushes on, and Stephen (Tobias Smith), who just wants to be a leading man; it would seem that Robin certainly has his work cut out.
From beginning to end Ushers is a perfect theatrical treat, more so for those of us who are either regular theatre-goers or who, indeed, work in a theatrical environment. With plenty of nods to past and present musicals such as Once, Wicked, Les Mis and Phantom of the Opera, it will be sure to amuse the most avid of theatrical types - in fact, if you don't get jokes that involve the numbers '24601', the name Ramin Karimloo and you're not '#stagey', then some of it may almost certainly go over your head but rest assured that most audience members will be more than fully acquainted and appreciate the references to the irritation of noisy eaters, late comers and complainers of programme prices!
This show not only makes you laugh but it also provides some lovely pathos from its characters, giving it a rather endearing quality. Each of the characters get a chance to perform their own song and I particularly enjoyed Tobias Smith and Eleanor Softly's renditions of 'The Parts I Could Play' and 'Dream and Ice Creams', showing off some great vocals. Ian Benson plays the lecherous, self inflated Manager almost too convincingly and also does a great job with the clever and witty, 'Ballad of Robin Pockets'. Jamie Redgate and Julian Cottee's sweet duet, 'Loving You is All I Know' certainly has the 'awww' factor and Laura Harper's racy little number, 'Leading Men' at the top of the show most definitely has the 'wow' factor!
The show is interspersed with training and promotional videos for theatre owners, Theatre Nation with its slogan "Making Theatre Better" - giving an opportunity for other members of LTC to show off their acting skills and were done really well, with Dave Gardner doing a brilliant job presenting them - I was crying with laughter at the 'Twice' promo! (A complete mickey-take of the 'Once' musical) and could quite possibly have a show of his own!
This tight group of LTC's performers have been well directed by Colin Bott, who has managed to draw out all the humour of this production whilst maintaining a trueness to its characters which will engage audiences. Gemma Carracher has done a nice job with some simple but effective choreography that really connects to the musical numbers and Clare Penfold also does a marvellous job as MD, playing the keyboard in full sight of The Dixon Studio audience; which must be slightly daunting after usually being unseen in the main house's orchestra pit.
Little Theatre Company are only one of a few amateur companies to have performed this delightfully modern and funny production. I honestly can't remember laughing out loud so many times thanks to the humour of a piece that has been kept topical and fresh in its writing. Whether you work in theatre, are a theatre-going regular like myself, or you're just plain stagey, you simply cannot fail to enjoy this show.
I don't know about Theatre Nation but Little Theatre Company have certainly done a great up-sell in "Making theatre better!" I may even have to come back and see it again!
It's no surprise to learn that the writers of this show were actually ushers themselves as this show provides such a wonderful insight into the lives of the people who love to work in theatre but who, if they were honest, would rather be performing in the theatre, as opposed to working in the theatre, selling programmes, ice-cream, merchandise and over-priced drinks.
The storyline revolves around Manager, Robin Pocketts (Ian Benson) who needs his team of Ushers to be on top 'up-selling' form as the new jukebox musical 'Oops I Did it Again' is about to preview. With new girl, Lucy (Eleanor Softly) having to learn the ropes from his team of ushers - gay couple, Ben (Jamie Redgate) and Gary (Julian Cottee) on the brink of a relation breakup; Rosie (Laura Harper), hell-bent on proving her popularity on social media by sneakily taking photos of all the leading men she has crushes on, and Stephen (Tobias Smith), who just wants to be a leading man; it would seem that Robin certainly has his work cut out.
From beginning to end Ushers is a perfect theatrical treat, more so for those of us who are either regular theatre-goers or who, indeed, work in a theatrical environment. With plenty of nods to past and present musicals such as Once, Wicked, Les Mis and Phantom of the Opera, it will be sure to amuse the most avid of theatrical types - in fact, if you don't get jokes that involve the numbers '24601', the name Ramin Karimloo and you're not '#stagey', then some of it may almost certainly go over your head but rest assured that most audience members will be more than fully acquainted and appreciate the references to the irritation of noisy eaters, late comers and complainers of programme prices!
This show not only makes you laugh but it also provides some lovely pathos from its characters, giving it a rather endearing quality. Each of the characters get a chance to perform their own song and I particularly enjoyed Tobias Smith and Eleanor Softly's renditions of 'The Parts I Could Play' and 'Dream and Ice Creams', showing off some great vocals. Ian Benson plays the lecherous, self inflated Manager almost too convincingly and also does a great job with the clever and witty, 'Ballad of Robin Pockets'. Jamie Redgate and Julian Cottee's sweet duet, 'Loving You is All I Know' certainly has the 'awww' factor and Laura Harper's racy little number, 'Leading Men' at the top of the show most definitely has the 'wow' factor!
The show is interspersed with training and promotional videos for theatre owners, Theatre Nation with its slogan "Making Theatre Better" - giving an opportunity for other members of LTC to show off their acting skills and were done really well, with Dave Gardner doing a brilliant job presenting them - I was crying with laughter at the 'Twice' promo! (A complete mickey-take of the 'Once' musical) and could quite possibly have a show of his own!
This tight group of LTC's performers have been well directed by Colin Bott, who has managed to draw out all the humour of this production whilst maintaining a trueness to its characters which will engage audiences. Gemma Carracher has done a nice job with some simple but effective choreography that really connects to the musical numbers and Clare Penfold also does a marvellous job as MD, playing the keyboard in full sight of The Dixon Studio audience; which must be slightly daunting after usually being unseen in the main house's orchestra pit.
Little Theatre Company are only one of a few amateur companies to have performed this delightfully modern and funny production. I honestly can't remember laughing out loud so many times thanks to the humour of a piece that has been kept topical and fresh in its writing. Whether you work in theatre, are a theatre-going regular like myself, or you're just plain stagey, you simply cannot fail to enjoy this show.
I don't know about Theatre Nation but Little Theatre Company have certainly done a great up-sell in "Making theatre better!" I may even have to come back and see it again!
Jamie Redgate, Laura Harper, Tobias Smith, Ian Benson, Julian Cottee and Eleanor Softly
Ask the Audience
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Tracey Peacock, 49, Benfleet
"For a small cast, I thought they carried it off really well. Ian Benson as Robin was my favourite with good characterisation and I thought his singing was really good!" |
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Alice Ryan, 29, Westcliff-on-Sea "As an actor, who has worked and works Front of House, I thought it was spot on. It was very very funny. The topical jokes were very on point and it was lovely to see a modern musical with modern themes, especially in The Dixon Studio. I also thought it was nice to have a different take on a love story." |
For tickets to see Ushers go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135