Bad Girls: The Musical

Bad Girls The Musical

Hornsea Amateur Theatre Society

 

Producer Ian Thompson, Director Jake Baines, Musical Director Andy McIntosh and Choreography Sarah Toovey and Nikki Woolsey

Hornsea Floral Hall

15th May 2025

Hornsea Amateur Theatre Society’s production of Bad Girls: The Musical offered a solid and entertaining evening that, while not without its flaws, showcased plenty of creativity, strong performances, and comedic energy.

The staging was impressively resourceful. A simple but effective set made clever use of turning and switching elements to shift scenes smoothly, aided by an extended side stage that enhanced the performance space. The lighting design added drama and depth, particularly with silhouettes behind screens that brought striking visual moments.

A live band, led by the talented Andy McIntosh, brought energy and pace to the production. The musicians performed confidently and worked well with the cast to support transitions and entrances. However, sound balance was a recurring issue. At times, particularly in softer numbers, the band overpowered the vocals. One such moment came during the emotional Guardian Angel, performed by Sam Zawodny as Shell Dockley and Maisy Wilson as Denny Blood. Despite a strong on-stage connection and heartfelt delivery, the impact was lessened by the sound imbalance. Hopefully, this will be resolved in future performances.

Choreography, led by Nikki Woolsey and Sarah Toovey, was well-rehearsed and suited the tone of the show. Dance numbers added vibrancy and were performed confidently by the cast. The musical numbers were of a high standard overall and helped maintain a strong pace throughout.

One of the show’s highlights was its comedic timing. The song All Banged Up brought raucous laughter from the audience, thanks to a brilliant trio: Sarah Hyde as Yvonne Atkins, and Charlotte Royce and Amy Thomas as the Two Jules. Their chemistry and comic delivery were spot on. Macsen Harper added to the humour with his portrayal of Justin Mattison, using awkward body language and expressive facial reactions to great effect.

Natalie Clydesdale gave a standout performance as Nikki Wade, with a commanding stage presence and a beautiful vocal delivery in One Moment. She brought both strength and vulnerability to the role, creating a memorable character.

The staff of Larkhall Prison were just as strong. Phil Wilson as Jim Fenner and Kirsty Maiden as Sylvia Hollamby made a wickedly enjoyable pair, their comedic timing complementing the show’s more serious tones. Megan Tudor, as Helen Stewart, provided a steady and grounded presence. Her performance added sincerity and heart, anchoring the production’s more emotional threads.

In all, Bad Girls was a lively and engaging show. While technical issues—particularly with sound—held it back from reaching its full potential, the cast and creative team delivered a performance full of energy, humour, and heart. With a few adjustments, this production could go from good to great. For fans of musical theatre and character-driven stories, it’s well worth a watch.

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