Blitz

Lional Bart’s ‘BLITZ’ is performed less frequently than his ‘OLIVER!’ yet this musical has some fabulous music and a storyline which mixes nostalgia, fun, humour and sadness. The plot focuses mainly on two feuding families, the Jewish Blitzsteins and the Cockney Lockes with the younger members of these opposite families falling in love and, despite their parents objections, determined to be together.

An open stage immediately set the scene with the backdrop of St. Paul’s Cathedral and newsreels of London during the blitz. Throughout the production the audio visual input, lighting and sound effects were used to great effect creating real imagery of the period and capturing the true spirit of life during World War 2.

The strong, defiant opening number ‘Our Hotel’ successfully established the community spirit and the feeling that this group of Londoners would pull together through whatever was thrown at them. This scene in the underground is where we meet most of the principal characters. The undoubted leader of the group is the matriarchal Mrs. Blitzstein who owns the pickled herring stall in Petticoat Lane. Gill Sullivan gave a fine performance in this role. Rarely off the stage she conveyed  most convincingly the humour, tragedy, pathos and mixed emotions that she lived through while trying to do the right thing for her family and the community. The soliloquy ‘So Tell Me Jack’ was a real tour de force. She has no time for Alfred Locke the cockney with the fruit stall and Alistair Thomas played well as the cantankerous Alfred mixing aggression with humour as he and Mrs. Blitzstein spit barbed comments at each other.

Suzie Smail was charming as young Carol Blitzstein who loves Georgie Locke  and who is tragically blinded in an air raid. It isn’t easy to act being blind but this was  done quite convincingly. Jack Stewart was a believable Georgie, the lovable good guy soldier determined to fight for his country. He certainly  came into his own in Act 2 with alcohol helping him cope with the dilemma of his feelings for Carol in ‘Who Wants to Settle Down’. This scene when he and Mrs. Blitzstein come together and he eventaully realises that he can settle down with Carol despite her blindness was emotive and well played.

Stuart Laws quickly established the character of the Jack The Lad, playboy Harry Blitzstein who having caused his mother heartache eventually comes good in his spirited ‘Duty Calls’. Chiara Loia  has a lively stage presence and portrayed the saucy Elsie with a good singing voice leading ‘Leave It To The Ladies’. Her rival in love Mrs. Joyce Matthews and friend Peg Murphy were ably played by Lynne Hurst and Joanna Robertson respectively. Rik Kay and Judith Hutchinson worked well together as the Jewish couple Mr. and Mrs. Josephs while Alex Rankine the very Scottish Ernie Nearmiss kept the comedy going with his interjections and partnership with Alfred in the patriotic ‘As Long As This Is England’.

‘We’re Going To The Country’ saw a delightful group of children saying farewell to their emotional parents as they were being evacuated and obviously had great fun playing ‘Mums and Dads’ on their return. These main principal characters were ably supported by the many cameo roles.

There are lots of big production numbers in Blitz and these were well directed. The big chorus numbers were very well sung  and moved by the company. ’Who’s This Geezer Hitler?’ and ‘Is This Gonna Be A Wedding’ exuded energy and joy. The bustling ‘Petticoat Lane’ was stylish and ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ sung with great feeling. Choreography too was neatly executed and precise. The final scene of Act 1 seeing the soldiers march off to war was well staged. An unobtrusive on stage orchestra was very well balanced and well controlled supporting the singers with this uplifting score. I did enjoy listening to the play out. Costumes and hair styles were well suited to the period.

This was altogether a most enjoyable production which moved along at a good pace and had me singing my way home. A production which deserved a bigger audience than on the night I was there.

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