Bad Girls The Musical

Welcome The New Garrett Theatre to District 5 the first show back after covid is Bad Girls The Musical. Based on the popular ITV drama of the same name. Book by Maureen Chadwick and Ann McManus, lyrics by Kath Gotts. 

Entering the auditorium, the set consisted backstage right of a raised platform used by the prison staff as the office. Stage left metal steps leading up to a walkway and four cells with four cells underneath on ground level. Off centre right were double gates that were kept locked. With neutral colours and the backstage crew dressed as prison officers seamlessly bringing on representational bits of set to complete the various scenes - even a urinal!  Stage Crew/Prison Officers were Laura Gaskell, Amy Gaskell, Danny Haymes, Louise Proctor, Dom Sharpe and Brandon Wheelan. Set Design by Matt Johnson and Laura Gaskell.  Set Construction by Matt Johnson, Josh Smith, Paul Smith and Jack Welsby. Sound was good on the whole with a few first night technical hitches on mics, which I am sure will be corrected - Sound Design by Matt Johnson and Josh Smith. The Lighting and Visual effects were outstanding helped with sound effects. The projection of the cells really added to the effect of the prison and the piece giving a 3D effect also the fireworks at the end. Visual FX design and lighting by Matt Johnson and Jack Welsby.

Choreography was by Sonya Bithell and Lesley Egan and there were some chorus line numbers thrown in there and good use of the stage - well done! The music very much made me think of certain songs and shows like Jailcraft-Witchcraft and The Future is Bright was very Sweeney Todd. Musical Director Catherine Taylor kept a tight hold on this as I don’t think some of the music would have been easy - backed up by the orchestra of Neil Ravenscroft, Katie Proctor, Charlie Wells, Beth Lythgoe and Andrew Duff - great work!

Sonya Bithell and Ryan Gerrard as co-Directors appeared to have a clear vision of what they wanted - it’s a bold move to put on this musical on and it paid off - the casting and staging, costumes, make-up and hair were excellent. Costumes by Megan Lyth, Lesley Egan and Christina Cooney, Hair and Make-up Helen and Megan Lyth. The whole thing came together and worked well. 

The Prisoners were Joanne Coates playing Crystal Gordon, Laura Shuttleworth as Kat, Emma Swanton as Spike and Sandra Pendlebury was Natalie. The staff were Karl Gerrard playing Number One, Louis Gerrity as Prison Officer/Nurse and John Smith as Prison Officer. Theodore Lyth as Justin the ‘nice’ Prison Officer worked well with Lauren Green playing Helen Stewart - showing how there are people who care in the system and put their necks on the line.

The ill-fated Rachel Hicks was played by Rebecca Gerrard. Yvonne Gerrard playing Noreen Biggs proving there is no such thing as a small part, not many lines but everyone counted and got a laugh - well it did from me - well done!

Catherine Taylor as Shell Dockley embraced the role as the mouthy one and thinking she is in with the screws - great song First Lady. She worked well with Jess Maloney playing Denny Blood the sidekick who just wants to be loved. great voice!.

Louise Taffee as Sylvia “Bodybag” Hollamby portraying an unlikeable character that was sort of likeable. You got where she was coming from - the years had worn her down and she just wanted to get home to her Bobby for his braised meatballs enough said and by the way the girl got moves.

Now to the two Julies great casting and what a duo you can almost imagine they even know what each other is thinking. Helene Lyth as Julie Johnstone and Anna Green as Julie Saunders.  They really went for it and looked to be enjoying it which also helps the audience enjoy it too. Loved Life Of Grime. They never let their characterisations slip and fed off each other. Shout out to Anna Green for quick thinking ad lib- fabulous work girls!

Mischa Riley as Nikki Wade - I did wonder if nerves got to her at bit at the beginning but boy did she come into her own when she settled into the part - great empathy for the characters and great vocals!

Now I come to the two last characters - Guy Tudgay as Jim Fenner - possibly one of the more difficult roles to do as to where do you pitch it. It’s hard to find the good in this character and I think his camaraderie with Bodybag (Louise) probably helped. His songs were salacious and often pure evil. I hated him and felt uneasy but that’s good that’s exactly what the characters needed. He made you want to wash this was pure Jailcraft (see what I did there?) - great work!

Last but not least Steph Maloney playing Yvonne Atkins - just wow! The moment she walked on stage she had me. The attitude, the stance, the costume and the hair. Not over- or under-played - pitched right - stagecraft right there - oh and the voice to match! Excellent

Congratulations to cast, crew and committee of The New Garrett Theatre cast - thank you from my guest and I.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

 

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