Bad Girls- The Musical

Not a show that regularly features in diaries ‘Bad Girls – The Musical’ is based on an ITV drama of the same name.   In the musical we meet a group of women who are on the edge and facing a vast array of challenges whilst in custody in HMP Larkhill for a variety of crimes.  When idealistic new Wing Governor Helen Stewart (played by Kate Holtby) arrives at the prison she is on a mission to reform the regime.  Stewart gave a great performance as a Governor striving for improvement and keen to see the good in everyone.   Her duet ‘Every Night’ with Jo Hageman (playing cop killer Nikki Wade) was very moving and both women also showed great empathy and acting ability in their performances.   They are of course up against it facing the ruthless and corrupt principal prison officer Jim Fenner – played with a terrible level of menace by Gavin Cooke.  This really was a most horrific character and Cooke succeeded in making the audience’s skin crawl to the extent that mid show he was boo’ed.  A strong performance from Cooke whose character had no redeeming features whatsoever. 

Other prison officer roles were played by Rod Wheat as the strong and confident ‘Number One’ Governing Governor willingly participating in dodgy deals and secret handshakes.  Jacky Bacon as Senior Officer Sylvia Hollamby was a most nasty and miserable sidekick to Fenner.   However, the pair did participate in a high kicking routine with a sequinned clad ensemble that was hugely entertaining.  Liam Perkins as Junior Officer Justin Mattison played a touching role trying hard to overcome the difficulties in the establishment and also seeking to catch the eye of his love interest Stewart.  His love was not reciprocated as Stewart was falling for Wade, with relationships in the production being sensitively handled.

Vicky Toward and Bev Evans made an excellent duo as Julie Saunders and Julie Johnston – both brilliantly played with some wonderful comedic moments between the pair.  So many very funny jokes, but also some touching interactions.  Their duet ‘Life of Grime’ was wonderfully done.  Yvonne Atkins (played by Janine King) joins the prison and seeks to spice up the action.  She certainly succeeds with drinking parties, fireworks, a plot to overthrow Fenner and her escape.   King captured the gangster’s wife role perfectly and made it clear that she was out to be Queen Bee.

Abbie Rodgers as Shell Dockley, the drug dealing lifer, was definitely a piece of work and Rodgers didn’t let the attitude slip for a second.  Her number with Cooke ‘First Lady’ had great (raunchy) moves and both presented a very ‘physical routine’ with great confidence.  Dockley’s side kick is poor care experienced  youngster Denny Blood (Laura Hunt) who Dockley has led astray, but who comes good in the end. Fabulous character work from Hunt.

Lisa Smith as Rachel Hicks, Trudi Jackson as Crystal Gordon and Clare Cook as Noreen Biggs were all strong  performers showing the extent of the talent and commitment in this group.   With other prison officers and prisoners making up the ensemble everyone did an excellent job to keep in character not least during the riot.  There was some excellent acting and physical portrayal in all roles. 

The set was well designed and imposing with good props and set pieces which were moved on and off by cast.  Costumes were very appropriate and worked really well for the characters.  Light and sound was to a high standard with some clever lighting effects to enhance the mood.  Musical Director, Simon Percy and the other six members of the band did an excellent job with songs that aren’t well known but were great to listen to. ‘All Banged Up’ was definitely a highlight of the show, along with the ‘Baddest and the Best’.

Congratulations to Director/Choreographer Becky Toward on a great show which was well received by the audience.  There are some incredibly challenging themes within the storyline, but all were very well managed and beautifully directed.   Well done to everyone involved a great show.

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