Big

The musical, Big, is based on the hugely popular film of the same name released in 1988. A little short for his age,12-year-old Josh Baskin, makes a wish on a carnival game, he wants to be bigger, he wants to be a grown up. The next morning, he wakes to find his youthful spirit transported into a 30-year-old body. Unsure of what to do he runs away. Through a series of twists and turns Josh winds up getting a job in a toy company and meeting company executive Susan. Josh is then forced to navigate his way through the complexities of adult relationships.

The show is a strange one, with few tunes that you take away from the theatre with you. The subject matter gets a little awkward at the end of the show when Josh makes his way back to being a 12 year old kid and it never quite makes the impact that the film did. Despite this though, they are some great moments, light hearted, funny, poignant and sentimental.

The set was simple which worked well for the various scene changes. However, it was, at times, a little sparse, particularly in the toy store where I felt there was only a gesture of toys and so it lacked the colour and life of a big toy store. Props and costumes were well chosen and scene changes were executed swiftly and effectively adding to the flow of the show.

Sound was a little unbalanced at times and lighting a little dark. The over use of follow spots was distracting and the show would lend itself to a clean, bright and simple lighting design.

As the ‘young Josh’ George Smith was a delight, great projection, confident delivery of lines and a good strong singing voice. Felix Dunn, as his best friend Billy had great stage presence and performed with a maturity beyond his years. Joshua Edwards (The grown up Josh) sang, dance and acted his way into our hearts. I struggled at first with him not actually being a 30 year old man as the change from boy to man was not so dramatic, but he kept the child like qualities he needed to show that he was a 12 year old trapped in a man’s body. Emily Di-Silvestro, as company executive Susan, has a gorgeous clarity and expressiveness in both dialogue and singing, a simple pleasure to watch.

This show is a fabulous show for using a younger and older ensemble, with plenty for each to do and many cameo roles. I must say that it was the younger members of the cast that really shone for me, it is very exciting to see so much potential. The enthusiasm, attitude and life that the ensemble cast brought to this show was worth the ticket. Some clever choreography and staging were used and the tap number was skilfully executed. I loved the ‘friends’ scene, the various characters each holding their own and rising to the challenge of a not so easy song. Well done.

The young people involved throughout showed commitment and dedication. Congratulations to all involved in yet another successful production.

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